Is there a relationship between juvenile idiopathic arthritis and periodontitis?
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to compare the prevalence of periodontal conditions in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) (n=78, age 14.4 years) with those revealed in a healthy control group (n=75, age 15.5 years).


METHODS
In both groups, the approximal plaque index (API), the modified sulcular bleeding index (SBI), and the clinical attachment loss (CAL) were determined. Laboratory parameters for JIA activity included the capsule-reactive protein (CRP) and the immunoglobulins A, G, M.


RESULTS
JIA patients had a significantly higher API (64.6%versus 49.9%, p=0.004) and slightly higher mean percentages of sites with CAL>3.5 mm (0.58%versus 0.22%, p=0.041). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of patients and controls who had sites with CAL >3.5 mm (25.6%versus 17.3%, p=0.212). The mean CAL was slightly greater (0.2 mm; p=0.030) in patients with CRP> or =5.0 mg/l compared with patients with CRP<5.0 mg/l. Patients who took non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had a significantly decreased SBI (26.2%versus 51.1%, p=0.019).


CONCLUSIONS
After adjustment for microbial plaque, JIA is not a risk factor for periodontitis.
Reichert
Stefan
S
University School of Dental Medicine, Department of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology, Martin-Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany. stefan.reichert@medizin.uni-halle.de
Machulla
Helmut K G
HK
Fuchs
Corinna
C
John
Vera
V
Schaller
Hans-Günter
HG
Stein
Jamal
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D010520:Aggressive Periodontitis / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D010512:Periodontal Index; D012907:Smoking
D007136:Immunoglobulins; D002097:C-Reactive Protein