Researchers have found in a new study that disease activity among RA patients was associated with functional Impairment and periodontitis. Further functional impairment due to Rheumatoid Arthritis may affect Probing depth, and high serum levels of MMP-3 may affect clinical attachment level.
The study has been published in the International Dental Journal.
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease prevalent amongst adults. It is caused by periodontal bacterial infection that triggers inflammation and, ultimately, the destruction of periodontal tissues. In addition to the pathogenicity of periodontal bacteria, continuous, excessive host biological reactions due to the hyperproduction of inflammatory cytokines in the inflamed tissues cause periodontal tissue destruction.

This study explored the association of functional impairment due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Rheumatoid Arthritis disease activity with periodontal disease in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Ninety-three patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis were included. Their Rheumatoid Arthritis functional status was assessed using the Steinbrocker classification. The serum level of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) was used as an indicator of Rheumatoid Arthritis disease activity. Probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were used as indicators of periodontal status. They examined the association of Rheumatoid Arthritis severity and MMP-3 levels with periodontal status using a generalised linear model (GLM).
Results:
In a multivariate generalised linear model, the coefficient for the mean Probing depth was significantly positive in those with Rheumatoid Arthritis severity classes III or IV independent of other confounding variables.
In multivariate generalised linear model using the mean Probing depth as the dependent variable, the coefficient was significant in patients with high MMP-3 levels
Thus, Functional impairment due to Rheumatoid Arthritis may affect Probing depth, and high serum levels of MMP-3 indicating disease activity may affect clinical attachment level.
Reference:
Hiroko Hashimoto, et al. Functional Impairment and Periodontitis in Rheumatoid Arthritis. International Dental Journal. Volume 72, Issue 5, October 2022, Pages 641-647