Association between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis in an adult population - A cross sectional study

The Effects of Periodontal Treatment on Rheumatoid Arthritis and of Anti-Rheumatic Drugs on Periodontitis: A Systematic Review

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis are chronic inflammatory diseases that widely spread and share the same patterns of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effects of non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) on RA and, conversely, the impact of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) on periodontitis. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched using the MESH terms "periodontitis" and "rheumatoid arthritis" from January 2012 to September 2023. A total of 49 articles was included in the final analysis, 10 of which were randomized controlled trials. A total of 31 records concerns the effect of NSPT on parameters of RA disease activity, including a 28-joint disease activity score, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies, rheumatoid factor, C reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins in serum, saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, and synovial fluid. A total of 18 articles investigated the effect of DMARDs on periodontal indexes and on specific cytokine levels. A quality assessment and risk-of-bias of the studies were also performed. Despite some conflicting results, there is evidence that RA patients and periodontitis patients benefit from NSPT and DMARDs, respectively. The limitations of the studies examined are the small samples and the short follow-up (usually 6 months). Further research is mandatory to evaluate if screening and treatment of periodontitis should be performed systematically in RA patients, and if the administration of DMARDs is useful in reducing the production of cytokines in the periodontium.

Association between rheumatoid arthritis and pulpal-periapical pathology: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating disease where numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines have a proven role in its pathology. These cytokines are also involved in the pathogenesis of apical periodontitis (AP) where they have a pro-inflammatory role and induce bone resorption. Patients with RA may therefore be more prone to develop pulpal-periapical pathology (PPP). This study systematically reviewed the existing literature evaluating the association between RA and PPP.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Studies including human participants with both RA and PPP were included. The search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library databases using keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) search terms. The risk of bias was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. The following parameters were extracted and analyzed by the reviewers; author, journal, year, design of the study, diagnostic criteria for periapical pathology, the association between rheumatoid arthritis and periapical pathology, and the evidence level.

RESULTS

The search identified 142 records. Inclusion criteria were as follows; studies in the English language, including human participants only, including patients with RA and PPP, cohort studies, cross-sectional studies, clinical trials, and case-control studies. According to the inclusion criteria, 5 studies were included in this systematic review. Three of the five studies reported significant association between RA and PPP.

CONCLUSIONS

Existing evidence suggests there may be an association between RA and PPP.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Clinicians should be aware that RA patients can be more prone to develop PPP which may result in a reduced quality of life.