Hand to Mouth: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Association between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Periodontitis

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis are both chronic inflammatory diseases, which demonstrate similarities in terms of mechanism, histopathology, and demography. An association between these conditions has been demonstrated previously but has been called into question more recently. Methods: The published databases, such as MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO, were searched using search terms related to RA and periodontitis. Articles were selected if they included data on the number of people with RA diagnosed with periodontitis (or periodontal disease parameters) compared to a control comparison group. Review articles, case reports, animal model studies, non-English language, and articles with unavailable abstracts were excluded. Data were extracted, critically appraised using the Downs and Black tool, and a random-effect Mantel–Haenszel meta-analysis was performed. Results: Twenty-one papers met the eligibility criteria and provided data for the meta-analysis; 17 studies (including a total of 153,492 participants) comparing RA to healthy controls and 4 (including a total of 1378 participants) comparing RA to osteoarthritis (OA). There was a significantly increased risk of periodontitis in people with RA compared to healthy controls (relative risk: 1.13; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.23; p = 0.006; N = 153,277) with a significantly raised mean probing depth, risk of bleeding on probing (BOP), and absolute value of clinical attachment loss in those with RA. When comparing RA and OA, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of periodontitis; however, the risk of BOP was greater in OA than RA. Conclusion: A significant association between RA and periodontitis is supported by the results of our systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing RA to healthy controls. In our meta-analysis, however, this is not replicated when comparing RA to OA controls

The periodontium of periodontitis patients contains citrullinated proteins which may play a role in ACPA (anti-citrullinated protein antibody) formation

Aim To determine the presence and location (stroma versus epithelium) of citrullinated proteins in periodontitis tissue as compared to non-periodontitis tissue and synovial tissue of RA patients. Materials & Methods Periodontitis, healthy periodontal and RA-affected synovial tissue samples were collected in addition to buccal swabs. These samples were stained for the presence of citrullinated proteins using polyclonal (Ab5612) and monoclonal (F95) antibodies. Furthermore, Western blotting with F95 was performed on lysates prepared from periodontal and synovial tissues. Results In periodontitis stroma, increased citrullinated protein presence (80%) was observed compared with control stroma (33%), the latter was associated with inflammation of non-periodontitis origin. Periodontal epithelium always stained positive for Ab5612. Noteworthy, only periodontitis-affected epithelium stained positive for F95. All buccal mucosal swabs and 3 of 4 synovial tissue samples stained positive for both Ab5612 and F95. Western blotting with F95 showed presence of similar citrullinated proteins in both periodontitis and RA-affected synovial tissue. Conclusion Within the periodontal stroma, citrullination is an inflammation-depended process. In periodontal epithelium, citrullination is a physiological process. Additional citrullinated proteins are formed in periodontitis, apparently similar to those formed in RA-affected synovial tissue. Periodontitis induced citrullination may play a role in the aetiology of rheumatoid arthritis

The association between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease

Chronic, plaque-associated inflammation of the gingiva and the periodontium are among the most common oral diseases. Periodontitis (PD) is characterized by the inflammatory destruction of the periodontal attachment and alveolar bone, and its clinical appearance can be influenced by congenital as well as acquired factors. The existence of a rheumatic or other inflammatory systemic disease may promote PD in both its emergence and progress. However, there is evidence that PD maintains systemic diseases. Nevertheless, many mechanisms in the pathogenesis have not yet been examined sufficiently, so that a final explanatory model is still under discussion, and we hereby present arguments in favor of this. In this review, we also discuss in detail the fact that oral bacterial infections and inflammation seem to be linked directly to the etiopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). There are findings that support the hypothesis that oral infections play a role in RA pathogenesis. Of special importance are the impact of periodontal pathogens, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis on citrullination, and the association of PD in RA patients with seropositivity toward rheumatoid factor and the anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody

Influence of periodontal treatment on rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objetivo: Avaliar a influência do tratamento periodontal sobre a atividade da doença na artrite reumatoide. Métodos: Pesquisaram-se as bases de dados MEDLINE/PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials, SciELO e LILACS em busca de estudos publicados até dezembro de 2014. Incluíram-se estudos prospectivos que avaliaram pacientes com mais de 18 anos diagnosticados com periodontite e artrite reumatoide submetidos a tratamento periodontal não cirúrgico; os estudos deveriam ter também um grupo controle não submetido a tratamento periodontal. Os resultados dos estudos deveriam contar com pelo menos um marcador da atividade da doença na artrite reumatoide. A qualidade metodológica dos estudos foi avaliada utilizando a escala PEDro. Reuniram-se os dados quantitativos em uma metanálise estatística usando o Review Manager 5. Resultados: Incluíram-se quatro artigos. O tratamento periodontal não cirúrgico esteve associado a uma redução significativa no DAS-28 (OR: - 1,18; IC 95%: -1,43 a -0,93; p < 0,00001).A velocidade de hemossedimentação a proteína C-reativa, a avaliação da atividade reumatoide pela escala visual analógica e as contagens de articulações sensíveis e inchadas apresentaram uma tendência de redução (redução não estatisticamente significativa). Conclusões: A redução no DAS-28 em pacientes com artrite reumatoide após tratamento periodontal sugere que a melhora na condição periodontal é benéfica a estes pacientes. São necessários mais ensaios clínicos randomizados controlados para confirmar este achado.Objective: To evaluate the influence of periodontal treatment on rheumatoid arthritis activity.Methods: MEDLINE/PUBMED, The Cochrane Library, Clinical Trials, SciELO and LILACS were searched for studies published until December 2014. Included articles were: prospective studies; including patients older than 18 years, diagnosed with periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis submitted to non-surgical periodontal treatment; with a control group receiving no periodontal treatment; with outcomes including at least one marker of rheumatoid arthritis activity. Methodological quality of the studies was assessed using PEDro scale. Quantitative data were pooled in statistical meta-analysis using Review Manager 5. Results: Four articles were included. Non-surgical periodontal treatment was associated with a significant reduction of DAS28 (OR: −1.18; 95% CI: −1.43, −0.93; p < 0.00001). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, patient’s assessment of rheumatoid activity using visual analogical scale, tender and swollen joint counts showed a trend toward reduction (not statistically significant)Conclusions: The reduction of DAS 28 in patients with rheumatoid arthritis after periodontal treatment suggests that the improvement of periodontal condition is beneficial to these patients. Further randomized controlled clinical trials are necessary to confirm this finding