Prevalence of caries disease in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis: Results of a comparative study

Sara Farih 1, *, Hanan Rkain 1, 2, Linah Zaki 3, Imane Bensaghir 1, Latifa Tahiri 1, Rida Sana 4, Sakout Majid 5, Ennibi Oum Keltoum 6, Najia Hajjaj-Hassouni 7 and Fadoua Allali 1

1 Department of Rheumatology B, Ayachi Hospital, Ibn Sina Hospital Center, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
2 Exercise Physiology and Autonomous Nervous System Team, Physiology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University, Rabat, Morocco.
3 Dental Center house of smile, Northern Council of Dental Surgeons, Temara, Morocco.
4 Department of Restorative Dentistry, Research Laboratory in Oral Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco.
5 Odontology Service Department, Mohammed V University of Rabat, Rabat, Morocco.
6 Department of Periodontology, Research Laboratory in Oral Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat, Morocco.
7 Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Research Center of Health Sciences, International University of Rabat, Rabat, Morocco.
 
Research Article
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2024, 24(02), 202–211
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2024.24.2.3322
 
Publication history: 
Received on 20 September 2024; revised on 28 October 2024; accepted on 31 October 2024
 
Abstract: 
Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence of dental caries in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and compare it with controls.
Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between two departments of the Ibn Sina University Hospital in Rabat: the Conservative Dentistry Department at the Center for Consultation and Dental Treatment and the Rheumatology B Department at El Ayachi Hospital in Salé.We collected socio-demographic, disease, and oral health data for each patient, assessing caries prevalence using the DMFT index (Decayed, Missing, and Filled teeth ) along with gingival and plaque indices (Löe and Silness)
Results: We recruited 61 patients, including 31 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 30 control patients. The average age was 47.6 ± 13.1 years, mostly female, with 59.3% postmenopausal.
RA patients had a higher number of missing teeth (8.3±7 [0; 19]), moderate to severe gingival inflammation in 64.6% of patients, and significant plaque buildup in 67.7% of cases. Only 38.7% of patients used proper brushing techniques, and 45.2% viewed their condition as a barrier to oral hygiene.The DMFT index in the RA group was 15.5, with an average of 2 [0; 4] filled teeth, compared to 0 [0; 2] in the control group (p=0.05). 67.7% of RA patients had visible plaque deposits, and 64.6% showed moderate to severe gingival inflammation
Conclusion: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis exhibited poorer oral health compared to the control group, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary care, including regular dental consultations and treatment
 
Keywords: 
Dental caries; Rheumatoid arthritis; DMFT index; Controls
 
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