Abstract:
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) on periodontal parameters and inflammatory biomarkers in the concentration and level of
calprotectin (CLP) in women with periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this quasiexperimental study, we evaluated 30 women (mean age: 52.0 ± 5.8 years) with periodontitis and RA
who had been diagnosed and treated for RA for more than 3 years and whose activity markers
remained at similar values without significant reduction over three consecutive months. Patients
underwent NS-PT, which included plaque control, scaling, and root planing. Serum and saliva
samples, periodontal indices, RA activity markers, Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28), the erythrocyte
sedimentation rate (ESR), and the C-reactive protein (CRP) and CLP contents were measured at the
beginning of the study and 6 and 12 weeks after NS-PT. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used
in the analysis. The mean age was 52.0 ± 5.8 years. Compared to the baseline results, all periodontal
indices were significantly reduced 6 and 12 weeks after NS-PT (p < 0.001). DAS28 was also significantly
reduced after 12 weeks (p < 0.0001). Similarly, the serum CLP concentration decreased 6 and 12 weeks
after NS-PT (p < 0.0001). Of the patients, 100% presented lower levels of CRP and ESR (p < 0.0001).
Overall, NS-PT reduced inflammation and disease activity, highlighting the importance of oral health
in the control and treatment of systemic diseases such as RA and confirming that NS-PT effectively
reduces periodontitis activity and plays a key role in modulating RA activity. Therefore, NS-PT should
be considered as an adjunct treatment for RA.