Rheumatoid arthritis may up risk of gum infection

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Rheumatoid arthritis may up risk of gum

infection

NEW YORK, Jul 12 (Reuters Health) - People

who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis may

be prone to developing chronic gum disease

that can lead to tooth and bone loss,

according to Australian researchers.

In their study of 130 people,

investigators found that those with

rheumatoid arthritis were more than twice

as likely as people without the disease to

develop periodontitis--a chronic infection

of the gums and tissues supporting the

teeth. In advanced stages of the disorder,

gums may recede, teeth loosen, and bone

and tissue loss can occur.

Indeed, patients with rheumatoid arthritis

were more likely to have moderate to

severe bone loss and missing teeth--an

average of 11.6, compared with 6.7 among

those without rheumatoid arthritis, the

findings indicate.

Patients with rheumatoid arthritis with

only mild periodontitis had fewer swollen

and tender joints than those with more

severe forms of the disease, according to

the report in the June issue of the

Journal of Periodontology.

Rheumatoid arthritis, an often painful and

disabling disorder, occurs when the immune

system attacks the body and causes joints

to become inflamed. There is no cure for

the disease and the cause is unknown.

While the nature of the association

between rheumatoid arthritis and

periodontitis is not clear, the

researchers note that the two disorders

share common traits such as chronic

inflammation and damage caused by the

immune system.

" The results of this study provide further

evidence that a relationship exists

between disease experiences of

periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis, "

Dr. F. B. Mercado from the University of

Queensland in Brisbane and colleagues

write.

" While it is not suggested that there is a

causal relationship, the data indicate

that individuals with rheumatoid arthritis

are more likely to experience more

significant periodontitis compared to non-

rheumatoid arthritis patients and visa-

versa, " they conclude.

Mercado and colleagues note that the

amount of dental plaque and gum bleeding

were similar in the two groups, suggesting

that limited dexterity caused by

rheumatoid arthritis is not responsible

for the severity of periodontal disease

among these patients.

SOURCE: Journal of Periodontology

2001;72:779-787.