Periodontal Treatment and Rheumatoid Factor in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objectives: 1) to test if the rheumatoid factor (RF) can be detected in the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in patients having rheumatoid arthritis and chronic periodontitis; and 2) to examine the effect of elimination of gingival inflammation on the RF concentration in the GCF.
Methods: Nine patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with seropositive RF and chronic periodontitis participated in this study. Periodontal examination was performed at baseline and 6-8 weeks after non- surgical periodontal treatment. GCF samples were obtained in both visits for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis for detection and measurement of the concentration of RF
Results: RF was detectable in the GCF of the nine patients, with a mean 425.2 ± 258.3 and 475.5 ± 206.2 IU/mg of total protein at baseline and after periodontal treatment, respectively. Four out of the nine patients showed decreased RF level compared to five patients showed increased level from baseline to posttreatment. No statistically significant difference was found in RF concentration between baseline and 6 to 8 weeks posttreatment (P >0.05). Probing depth, attachment loss, plaque index, gingival Index, and bleeding on probing, all showed significant improvement between baseline and posttreatment (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: 1) RF is easily detectable in GCF of patients having RA. 2) The concentration of RF in the GCF is independent of the presence or absence of gingival inflammation.