Abstract
Introduction:Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) may cause malfunction in the immune system and the inability to observe oral hygiene in patients due to physical deficits. A bacterial infection caused as such can constitute a significant risk factor for the development of systemic infection. The present study aimed to investigate the oral mucosal lesions, the DMFT index, and the Modified Gingival Index (MGI) in RA patients treated in Birjand city.Materials and Methods:This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed with 80 RA patients referred to rheumatology clinics of Birjand in 2018. Data were collected through observation, clinical examination, information forms, and medical records. After the patients were informed about the research purposes and signed consent forms for participation, they were examined at the rheumatology clinics. The collected data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 19).Results:Of the 80 patients, n = 64 (80%) had oral mucosal lesions. Dry mouth (66.3%) was the most common finding. The mean DMFT index score was 18.7.Conclusion:Oral mucosal lesions and the mean DMFT index score seem to be at high levels in RA patients, possibly due to the complications of the disease or the consumed medications.
Highlights
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) may cause malfunction in the immune system and the inability to observe oral hygiene in patients due to physical deficits
Oral mucosal lesions and the mean DMFT index score seem to be at high levels in RA patients, possibly due to the complications of the disease or the consumed medications
There was no significant relationship between the prevalence of oral mucosal lesions and age (P = 0.26), sex (P = 0.65), duration of disease (P = 0.5), and type of medication used (P = 0.15)
Summary
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) may cause malfunction in the immune system and the inability to observe oral hygiene in patients due to physical deficits. The present study aimed to investigate the oral mucosal lesions, the DMFT index, and the Modified Gingival Index (MGI) in RA patients treated in Birjand city. Some chronic diseases are related to oral problems. A WHO program concerning chronic disease prevention and health promotion has centered on oral health [1]. The disease is a global phenomenon, affecting approximately one percent of the world's population, with a three-fold chance of incidence in women. Three percent of the American population grows some degree of the disease, and some 200,000 new cases are diagnosed annually [5]. The role of immunity has been confirmed in this disease as well as periodontitis [6]
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