Significant association of rheumatoid arthritis-related inflammatory markers with non-surgical periodontal therapy

Chronic periodontitis (CP) and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease. Inflammatory markers such as Cytokines, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-a play a crucial role in both periodontitis and RA. To date, few studies have investigated the effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on RA, but the results have been controversial because of the difficulty in controlling of confounding factors. Therefore, the results of the present study demonstrated that non-surgical periodontal therapy might use to maintain the RA-related inflammatory markers in patients with CP.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic periodontitis (CP) have the most frequently occurred chronic inflammatory diseases, and their immunopathogenesis is also almost identical. The study aimed to determine the impact of non-surgical periodontal therapy on the RA-related inflammatory markers serum levels among the patients suffered from chronic periodontitis.

A total of 31 patients with CP were selected and evaluated for demographics and periodontal parameters, comprising clinical attachment level, number of remaining teeth in the oral cavity, and probing depth. The patients received scaling and subgingival root planing treatments. Serum samples were obtained prior to and after the treatment. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to record the serum levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α).  

CP patients exhibited a significant decrease in the serum ACPA and TNF-α levels following the non-surgical periodontal treatment. Also, a significant and positive association was seen between the number of extracted teeth and the reduction in the serum IL-1β levels and serum ACPA following the treatment.

Non-surgical periodontal treatment assists in the RA-related inflammatory markers control among CP patients. Further, a large-scale study involving well-defined populations is required to elucidate the advantages of the non-surgical periodontal approach.