Rheumatoid Arthritis and Chronic Periodontitis – A Disease Link

Background: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Chronic Periodontitis are two chronic inflammatory disorders which share a similar pathophysiology. Previously many studies have proposed a relationship between both the diseases. Therefore, the aim of the study was to explore the co-relation between grading of Rheumatoid arthritis and severity of chronic periodontitis in south Indian population. Material And Methods: Sixty consecutive patients attending a rheumatology clinic were examined for their levels of periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis. Patients without rheumatoid arthritis was selected on age and gender matched served as controls. Probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss and plaque score were measured for Periodontitis. Measures of rheumatoid arthritis include DAS scores. Severity of rheumatoid disease activity score was correlated with the severity of Periodontitis and it was analyzed with the control group. Results: No difference in the plaque score between the rheumatoid arthritis and the control group was observed. More pocket depth and more number of missing teeth were found in the rheumatoid arthritis group. No significant difference was seen in the severity of rheumatoid arthritis disease group with the severity of chronic Periodontitis. But when only the severe chronic Periodontitis group was compared with the rheumatoid activity disease group there was a significant difference noted. Conclusion: The result of the study shows a positive co-relation between the rheumatoid arthritis and chronic Periodontitis. The severity of rheumatoid arthritis disease group increases with the severity of chronic Periodontitis.