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World J Rheumatol. Nov 12, 2014; 4(3): 80-87
Published online Nov 12, 2014. doi: 10.5499/wjr.v4.i3.80
Published online Nov 12, 2014. doi: 10.5499/wjr.v4.i3.80
Does a biological link exist between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis?
Rosamma Joseph, Priyanka Chand Kaushik, Amol Vijay Nagrale, Sreeraj Rajappan, Department of Periodontics, Government Dental College, Kottayam 686008, Kerala, India
MG Jose Raj, Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College, Calicut 673008, Kerala, India
Shobha Sundareswaran, Department of Orthodontics, Government Dental College, Calicut 673008, Kerala, India
Susan Jose, Medical College Campus, Calicut 673008, Kerala, India
Author contributions: All authors have contributed to literature search, intellectual content, drafting and editing of the manuscript and language revision; all authors approved the final version to be published.
Correspondence to: Dr. Rosamma Joseph, Professor and Head, Department of Periodontics, Government Dental College, Medical College PO, Calicut 673008, Kerala, India. drrosammajoseph@gmail.com
Telephone: +91-944-6070599 Fax: +91-495-2356781
Received: June 28, 2014
Revised: September 25, 2014
Accepted: October 14, 2014
Published online: November 12, 2014
Revised: September 25, 2014
Accepted: October 14, 2014
Published online: November 12, 2014
Core Tip
Core tip: Periodontal disease (PD) and Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) share many pathological and immunological similarities. Recent studies have established significant association between the two. Bacterial infection, genetic susceptibility, altered immune reaction and inflammatory mediators considered responsible for RA are also associated with PD. So it is plausible that a biological link may exist between PD and RA. Therapies aimed at reduction of inflammatory mediators and effector molecules can probably reduce the severity of both RA and PD.