Patients with RA had worse periodontal conditions than HC participants. Although a trend for higher F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis concentrations in aCCP-positive patients with RA was found, importance of periodontal pathogenic bacteria and rheumatoid parameters in the interrelationship between periodontitis and RA remains unclear.
RA medication is associated with periodontal inflammation, without differences in periodontal disease severity. Thereby, combination of MTX + TNF-α shows an increased potential to periodontal inflammation. Additionally, several differences in prevalence of selected bacteria were detected.
Objectives The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its relation to specific RA characteristics. Material and methods Within the oral examination, the need for dental (carious teeth showing cavitation) and periodontal treatment (presence of a probing depth ≥ 3.5 mm) and the number of missing teeth (M-T) were recorded. OHRQoL was assessed with the German short version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP G14). The disease activity score (DAS28-ESR), disease duration, number of swollen/painful joints and duration of morning stiffness were retrieved from the patient records. Results A total of 176 patients with a mean age of 62.5 ± 10.2 years were included. The overall OHIP G14 sum score was 5.4 ± 7.1. The M-T showed a significant correlation with the dimensions of oral function (r = 0.25, p = 0.001) and psychosocial impact (r = 0.20, p = 0.009) and the sum score (r = 0.26, p = 0.001). The DAS28-ESR showed a significant correlation with psychosocial impact (r = 0.19, p = 0.012) and the sum score (r = 0.16, p = 0.041). The duration of morning stiffness was correlated with oral function (r = 0.19, p = 0.019), psychosocial impact (r = 0.18, p = 0.024) and the sum score (r = 0.22, p = 0.006). The effect size of these correlations was interpreted as small. Conclusion Disease activity, morning stiffness and missing teeth are associated to OHRQoL of patients with RA. Accordingly, multidisciplinary dental care appears necessary for these patients. Clinical relevance The prevention of tooth loss as well as the consideration of psychosocial and disease-specific parameters in the multidisciplinary dental care of RA patients is necessary.
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