Is there a relationship between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease?

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a relationship between disease experience of rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease . Methods: 1412 individuals attending the University of Queensland's School o f Dentistry were assessed for the prevalence of periodontal disease and rhe umatoid arthritis. Analysis of data obtained from a self-reported health qu estionnaire and dental records was carried out and included: number of indi viduals referred for advanced periodontal care (test group); number of indi viduals attending for routine dentistry; determination of rheumatoid arthri tis, cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus through self-reporting an d assessment of prescription medications; assessment of periodontal disease through assessment of existing oral radiographs. Results: In patients referred for periodontal treatment, the prevalence of self-reported rheumatoid arthritis was 3.95% which is significantly higher than that seen in patients not referred for periodontal treatment (0.66%) a nd also that reported in the general population (1%). Of those referred pat ients with rheumatoid arthritis, 62.5% had advanced forms of periodontal di sease. These results were mirrored in the results of the self-reported prev alence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus which was consistent with the published higher prevalence in periodontal patients. Conclusions: Based on data derived from self-reported health conditions, an d not withstanding the limitations of such a study, we conclude that there is good evidence to suggest that individuals with moderate to severe period ontal disease are at higher risk of suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and vice versa.