RESEARCH - Higher prevalence of periodontal disease in RA patients

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Higher Prevalence Of Periodontal Disease In Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

MedicalNewsToday.com

Article Date: 12 Jun 2008 - 0:00 PDT

Over 1.3 million Americans suffer from rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a

chronic, inflammatory disease of the joints. RA is a disabling

condition, and can lead to long-term joint damage resulting in

persistent pain and loss of function in affected areas. A recent study

published in the June issue of the Journal of Periodontology, the

official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP),

uncovered yet another potential side effect of RA. Researchers in

Berlin, Germany discovered that patients with RA have a higher

incidence of periodontal disease compared to healthy controls.

For some patients, adverse RA symptoms may affect manual dexterity,

which can make one's daily routine quite difficult. One area that may

be affected is oral hygiene which can ultimately lead to periodontal

disease. However, these research findings indicate that poor oral

hygiene alone did not account for the association between RA and gum

disease, suggesting that other factors may play a role as well.

The study examined the oral health of 57 RA patients and 52 healthy

controls. To determine oral hygiene status, each participant underwent

a comprehensive oral examination including an assessment of plaque

accumulation and gingival inflammation, both indicators of oral

hygiene. Probing pocket depth and clinical attachment loss, two

markers of periodontal disease, were also measured. Researchers used

questionnaires to gauge the subjects' risk factors for periodontal

disease.

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