Periodontal disease and influence of periodontal treatment on disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and spondyloarthritis

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of periodontal disease and the effect of periodontal treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and spondyloarthritis (SpA). Forty-four RA patients, thirty SpA patients and thirty-nine healthy volunteers were recruited to the study. Periodontal examination included the approximal plaque index (API), bleeding on probing (BoP), probing depth (PD) and number of teeth. Samples from the deepest periodontal pockets were taken for the detection of Porphyromonas gingivalis DNA with the use of the polymerase chain reaction. All subjects with periodontitis, who completed the study, received periodontal treatment consisting of scaling/root planing and oral hygiene instructions. Disease activity scores, clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed before and 4–6 weeks after periodontal treatment. No significant difference in the prevalence of periodontal disease and the presence of P. gingivalis DNA were found in RA and SpA patients compared to healthy controls. Significantly higher API (80% vs 63%; p = 0.01) and a lower number of teeth (20 vs 25, p = 0.001) were found in RA patients. BoP was significantly elevated in SpA patients (51% vs 33%, p = 0.02). Disease activity measured by the DAS28(CRP) was significantly reduced in RA patients after periodontal treatment (p = 0.002). Clinical and biochemical parameters were not improved in SpA patients. Nonsurgical periodontal treatment had an impact on the decrease in RA activity. Periodontal examination is necessary in patients with RA to detect and treat periodontitis at an early stage.