Anti-B lymphocyte immunotherapy is associated with improvement of periodontal status in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis.

Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis present many similar features. The benefits of anti-B lymphocyte therapy (rituximab) on reducing tissue resorption in RA prompted us to assess its potential efficacy on the periodontal status of patients with RA treated with rituximab.

Materials And Methods: Periodontal status was assessed in 21 subjects with RA, divided into two groups: Group I consisted in 11 subjects assessed before their first infusion of rituximab and again 6 months later.