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.