Does periodontal treatment improve rheumatoid arthritis disease activity? A systematic review.

Objectives: The association of periodontal disease in people diagnosed with RA is emerging as an important driver of the RA autoimmune response. Screening for and treating periodontal disease might benefit people with RA. We performed a systematic literature review to investigate the effect of periodontal treatment on RA disease activity.

Should We Be Screening for and Treating Periodontal Disease in Individuals Who Are at Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

There is increasing evidence supporting an association between periodontal disease (PD) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), both mechanistically and clinically. Trials have shown that treating PD in people with RA may improve RA disease activity. Patients with musculoskeletal symptoms without arthritis, who test positive for cyclic-citrullinated protein antibodies, are at risk of RA (CCP+ at-risk), with seropositivity preceding arthritis onset by months or years.