Association between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Moderate to Severe Periodontitis in Iranian Adults

Objective: Periodontal diseases are common in the society and some researchers suggested an association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontal diseases. The present study was carried out to evaluate the so-called association in Iranian adults. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, the samples were recruited from patients referred to Loghman Hospital, Tehran, during 2004-2005. Fifty patients with RA aging 27-50 with no other systemic diseases were matched for sex, age, smoking, and oral hygiene status with healthy control samples. The drugs affecting periodontium status were excluded from the study. Clinical attachment loss (CAL) index was measured by a scaled Williams periodontal probe in both groups at four surfaces, and the type of periodontitis was determined. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U, and t-student tests served for statistical analyses. Results: In RA group, 30 patients (60%) had moderate to severe periodontitis while in control group the condition was detected among eight patients (16%). Significant difference existed between the two groups in terms of periodontitis stage (P<0.001). Median of the CAL scores was 4.5 mm and 0 mm in RA and control patients, respectively, with significant difference (P<0.001). Conclusion: The results suggest higher potentiality for moderate to severe periodontitis involvement among RA patients, possibly due to similar nature of the two diseases. Periodontal assessment of RA patients is necessary for early diagnosis and consequent treatment.