title: Rheumatoid arthritis in the elderly and its relationship with periodontitis: a review.
abstract: Periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis are chronic inflammatory diseases commonly seen in the elderly. It has been proposed that the two conditions are interrelated and influence the severity of each other. Recently, the role of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a periodontopathogen, has been explained in the pathogenesis and progression of rheumatoid arthritis. It can be inferred from the present review that the two conditions share a common pathobiology, genetics and environmental risk factors. Furthermore, a thorough understanding of the aforementioned mechanisms might enable the development of conjoint treatment modalities beneficial in treating the geriatric population afflicted by both the disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Manipal University, Manipal, India.
authors.forename: Rupali
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Agnihotri
authors.forename: Sumit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gaur
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D018450:Disease Progression; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: citrullination; geriatrics; host response; periodontitis; rheumatoid arthritis