Relationship of clinical index between rheumatoid arthritis and chronic periodontitis

To explore the relationship betweenrheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic periodontitis (CP).

A total of 48 RA patients were recruited from the Rhematology Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College (SUMC). RA patients were matched on age and gender with healthy controls, who were recruited from the Stomatology Department. Dental parameters including unstimulated salivary flow rate(UWS), stimulated salivary flow rate (SWS), bleeding on probe (BOP), periodontal probing pocket (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL) and decayed, missing and filling (DMF) were recorded in all cases. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and Anticyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (Anti - CCP) were also recorded in RA patients.

There were significant difference between RA group and health control group on salivary flow rate, BOP, PD, CAL and DMF (P < 0.001). Higher percentage of RA patients were diagnosed as periodontal disease than those in control group (P < 0.001). There was relationship between CAL and Anti-CCP antibody (P < 0.001).

RA patients have higher risk of CP, and there might be relationship between RA and CP.