Active matrix metalloproteinase-8 and periodontal bacteria depending on periodontal status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this clinical cross-sectional study was to determine the level of active matrix metalloproteinase-8 (aMMP-8) and periodontal pathogenic bacteria in gingival crevicular fluid in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with varying periodontal conditions.


METHODS
In total, 103 patients with RA and 104 healthy controls (HC) were included. The assessment of periodontal status included periodontal probing depth, bleeding on probing and clinical attachment loss. Periodontal disease was classified as healthy/mild, moderate or severe. For the determination of aMMP-8 levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and periodontal pathogenic bacteria using polymerase chain reaction, samples of gingival crevicular fluid were taken from the deepest gingival pockets. The statistical analyses used included a Mann-Whitney U-test, a chi-squared test or a Fisher's exact test, and the significance level was set at α = 5%.


RESULTS
We found that 65% of patients with RA and 79% of HC had moderate to severe periodontal disease (p = 0.02). The prevalence of periodontal pathogens was almost equal (p > 0.05). Furthermore, depending on periodontal disease severity only minor differences in bacterial prevalence were detected. With increasing severity of periodontal disease, higher aMMP-8 levels were observed. Accordingly, a significant difference in patients with moderate periodontal disease (RA: 15.3 ± 13.8; HC: 9.1 ± 9.1; p ≤ 0.01) and severe periodontal disease (RA: 21.7 ± 13.3; HC: 13.1 ± 8.6; p = 0.07) was detected, with a greater tendency in the latter group.


CONCLUSIONS
The increased aMMP-8 levels in the RA group indicate that the presence of RA appears to have an influence on the host response at a comparable level of bacterial load and periodontal disease severity.
Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Periodontology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
A
A
Kirchner
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Cariology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
J
J
Jäger
Clinic for Rheumatology, Bad Wildungen, Germany.
B
B
Krohn-Grimberghe
Department of Nephrology and Rheumatology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
S
S
Patschan
Clinical Research Organisation, Hamm, Germany.
T
T
Kottmann
Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Periodontology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
G
G
Schmalz
Department of Preventive Dentistry, Periodontology and Cariology, University Medical Centre Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany.
R F
RF
Mausberg
Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Periodontology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
R
R
Haak
Department of Cariology, Endodontology and Periodontology, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
D
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9810-2368
D
Ziebolz
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005883:Gingival Crevicular Fluid / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8 / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000382:microbiology; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000382:microbiology; D010518:Periodontitis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D020784:Matrix Metalloproteinase 8
aMMP-8; periodontal pathogenic bacteria; periodontitis; rheumatoid arthritis