Quality of Life and Oral Health Indicators in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common chronic inflammatory diseases of the joints that has many effects on oral health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) and oral health indicators in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy subjects.

A case-control study was carried out in Sari Tooba Clinic, 2018-2019. Data of all participants (case group, n=24 and control group, n=24), including demographic data, smoke consumption, and wearing removable dentures were recorded and all participants responded to nine questions about oral dryness and other systemic diseases. The Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) was used and patients were clinically examined. DMFT was calculated and plaque, gingival, and sulcus bleeding indices were determined on Ramfjord teeth. The flow rate of non-stimulated saliva was investigated using a weight estimation method. Quantitative variables were compared between the case group and control group applying independent T-test or its non-parametric equivalent (Mann-Whitney).

There were two men (8.3%) and 22 women (91.7%) in each group. The mean ages in the case and control groups were 45.62 ± 11.29 and 45.58 ± 10.57 years. The age and gender distribution was not significantly different between the two groups. The mean DMFT, plaque, gingival, and sulcus bleeding indices and non-stimulatory saliva flow rate were higher in case group than the control group, but only the plaque index in the case group (5.62±2.63) was significantly different from the control group (4±2.44) (P=0.026). GI, PI and SBI were found to be significantly associated with oral health-related QOL (P<0.05).

Examination, diagnosis, and treatment of oral health indicators is effective in improving the QOL in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.