Abstract

ISHI, Eduardo de Paula et al. Periodontal condition in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Braz. oral res. [online]. 2008, vol.22, n.1, pp. 72-77. ISSN 1806-8324.  doi: 10.1590/S1806-83242008000100013.

The purpose of this clinical study was to investigate if periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are associated. The study included 39 RA patients (test group) and 22 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals (control group). Questionnaires on general and oral health were applied and a complete periodontal exam, including visible plaque, marginal bleeding, attachment loss (AL) and number of teeth present, was also performed by a single calibrated examiner. Diabetes mellitus patients and smokers were excluded. RA patients had fewer teeth, higher prevalence of sites presenting dental plaque and a higher frequency of sites with advanced attachment loss. Although the prevalence of dental plaque was higher in the test group (Chi-square test, p = 0.0006), the percentage of sites showing gingival bleeding was not different (Fishers exact test, p > 0.05). Based on our results, we suggest that there is an association between periodontal disease and RA.

Keywords : Periodontitis; Rheumatoid arthritis; Periodontal attachment loss.