Periodontitis in rheumatoid arthritis

To investigate the presence of periodontitis in RA patients comparing it with controls in a Brazilian sample. Methods: This is a case control study conducted in a public health rheumatologic center. One hundred and sixteen RA patients and 68 paired controls were compared for epidemiological data and presence of periodontal disease evaluated by number of remaining teeth, presence of bacterial plaque, bleeding on probing, probing depth and clinical level of gingival insertion. In addition, data on comorbidities was collected. Results: RA patients and controls have the same amount of teeth loss (P = 0.84). RA patients had more calculus (P = 0.02); dental plaques (P = 0.04); gingival recession (P = 0.02) and bleeding (P = 0.01). Although the number of individuals with periodontitis was higher in RA patients, the severity of periodontitis was similar in both groups (P = ns). Presence of diabetes and hypothyroidism also associated with periodontitis (P = 0.01 and 0.02 respectively). In a model of logistic regression built to assess the independence of association of RA and its comorbidities with periodontitis, only diabetes and RA remained independent. Conclusion: This case control study shows higher frequency of periodontitis in RA patients than controls.