Gum disease is four times more common in people with rheumatoid arthritis than their healthy peers, and it also tends to be more severe in those with the autoimmune disease, a new study shows.
The findings, published online in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, are based on a study of 91 arthritis sufferers who were compared to a group of 93 healthy people.
"[Gum disease] is more common and severe in rheumatoid arthritis patients than in healthy controls...and could be a potential environmental trigger in the [development] and also in the maintenance of systemic inflammation in [the disease]," the researchers said.
Researchers reached their conclusions by measuring levels of inflammation in both groups and quizzing participants on their symptoms of gum disease, which include swollen and bleeding gums, sensitive teeth, loose teeth, and a history of tooth loss.
Almost two-thirds of patients with rheumatoid arthritis had evidence of gum disease, compared with just over one in four of their healthy peers. Even arthritis sufferers without serious gum disease had symptoms.
Researchers said it’s unclear whether gum disease increases the risk of arthritis or vice versa, but that underlying inflammation may be linked to both conditions.