KUMJ | VOL. 11 | NO. 1 | ISSUE 41 | JAN-MAR, 2013
Inter- Relationship Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Periodontitis
Rajkarnikar J, Thomas BS, Rao SK
Abstract: Background
Periodontal medicine defines a rapidly emerging branch of Periodontology
focusing on establishing a strong relationship between periodontal health and
systemic health. It is speculated that the major common dysregulation which links
Periodontitis with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is being played by the mediators of
immune inflammatory response.
Objectives
To determine whether there is any relationship between periodontal disease and
Rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods
A total of 100 patients were included for the present study which was divided into
two groups: one group (cases) included 50 patients attending the Department
of Orthopedics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal who were diagnosed of
Rheumatoid arthritis. Another subject population included 50 patients as controls
attending the Department of Oral Medicine, Manipal College of Dental Sciences,
Manipal with age and gender matched with those of rheumatoid arthritis group.
Specific measures for periodontitis included plaque index, gingival index, number of
missing teeth, and radiographic alveolar bone loss scores. Measures of rheumatoid
arthritis included health assessment questionaires, levels of C-reactive protein
(CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). Various periodontal parameters
were compared between the cases and controls.
Results
The average alveolar bone loss was statistically more severe in Rheumatoid arthritis
(RA) group than in the controls although there were similar plaque index in both the
groups. The gingival index was statistically higher in the RA group. The Erythrocyte
Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C- Reactive Protein (CRP) levels of RA patients were
also significantly associated with the severity of periodontal disease.
Conclusion
There was a significant association between Rheumatoid arthritis and Periodontitis
which may be due to a common underlying deregulation of the inflammatory
response in these individuals.
Keyword : Periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory disease, ESR, CRP
