Rheumatoid arthritis tied to risk of non-functional dentition: Study
USA: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is linked with a higher risk of non-functional dentition but not associated with periodontitis, a recent study featured in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology has shown.
Periodontitis is a severe gum disease initiated by bacterial infection between the teeth and supporting tissues. It can destroy alveolar bone and, in adults, is the most common tooth loss cause. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease distinguished by inflammation of the synovium; severe disease leads to the destruction of bone and cartilage. In people with specific genetic backgrounds, RA is triggered by environmental factors such as infections and smoking. One such trigger may be periodontitis; increasing studies have suggested an association between periodontitis and RA.
Against the above background, Dr Mai Hussein, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA, and colleagues aimed to examine the association between periodontitis, tooth loss, and rheumatoid arthritis through a large national dataset.
For this purpose, the researchers performed an observational cross-sectional study using NHANES ( National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) cycles (2009-2014). The participants filled out a questionnaire through which their rheumatoid arthritis status was detected. Periodontal status was assigned based on the periodontal pocket depth and clinical attachment level.
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