title: Periodontal disease and subgingival microbiota as contributors for rheumatoid arthritis pathogenesis: modifiable risk factors?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Since the early 1900s, the role of periodontal disease in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis has been a matter of intense research. The last decade has witnessed many advances supporting a link between periodontitis, the presence of specific bacterial species (i.e. Porphyromonas gingivalis) and their effects in immune response. This review will examine available evidence on the individuals.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Epidemiological studies have stressed the commonalities shared by periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Many groups have focused their attention toward understanding the periodontal microbiota and its alterations in states of health and disease. The presence of circulating antibodies against periodontopathic bacteria and associated inflammatory response has been found in both rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and individuals at-risk for disease development. Most recently, the periodontal microbiota of smokers and patients with RA has been elucidated, revealing profound changes in the bacterial communities compared with those of healthy controls. This has led to several small clinical trials of progressive disease treatment as adjuvant for disease-modifying therapy in RA.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smoking and periodontal disease are emerging risk factors for the development of RA. Epidemiological, clinical, and basic research has further strengthened this association, pointing toward changes in the oral microbiota as possible contributors to systemic inflammation and arthritis.
authors.affiliation: aDivision of Rheumatology and Microbiome Center for Rheumatology and Autoimmunity, New York University Hospital for Joint Diseases bDivision of Rheumatology and Department of Medicine, New York University School of Medicine cDepartment of Cariology and Comprehensive Care, New York University College of Dentistry, New York, New York, USA *Jose U. Scher and Walter A. Bretz contributed equally to this work.
authors.forename: Jose U
authors.initials: JU
authors.lastname: Scher
authors.forename: Walter A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Bretz
authors.forename: Steven B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Abramson
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000382:microbiology*; D005881:Gingiva / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D064307:Microbiota; D010510:Periodontal Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D012307:Risk Factors