Assessment of salivary elements (Zinc, Copper and Magnesium) among groups of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and chronic periodontitis and its correlation to periodontal health status

Abstract

Periodontal diseases are common in the society and some researchers suggestedan association between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontal diseases. The aims of study were to determine the periodontal health status in patient with RA and chronic periodontitis and compare it with those having chronic periodontitis without RA anddetermine the level of salivary elements Copper(Cu),Zinc( Zn) and Magnesium( Mg) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and patients have no rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and compare with the control group.And correlate between these salivary elements with the periodontal parameters Plaque index (PLI), gingival index (GI), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocketdepth (PPD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). Materials and Methods: In this study, the samples were recruited from patientsreferred todepartment of Rheumatology at Baghdad hospital. Seventy five female patients participated in this study, twenty five of them rheumatoid arthritis patient andhad chronic periodontitis; twenty five were with chronicperiodontitis and have no arthritis; Twenty five patients wereperiodontally and systemically healthy (control group). Patients were with age range 40-50 yearswith no other systemic diseases. The smokers and patients taking medication affecting periodontium status were excluded from the study.Also the patients had normal weight and length. Periodontal parameters were measuredin all groups at four surfaces.Salivary elements (Zn, Cu and Mg) also measured in this study. Results: Patients with RA had higher prevalence of sites presenting dental plaque, a higher rate of gingival inflammation and bleeding on probing,greater probing depth, and greater attachment loss compared with control and high level of Copper and low level of Zinc and Magnesium. Conclusion: The results suggest higher potentiality for moderate to severe periodontitis involvement among RA patients, with higher levels of Copper (Cu), and low level of Zinc (Zn) and Magnesium (Mg).