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

Background: Periodontal diseases are common in the society and some researchers suggestedan associationbetween rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontal diseases. The aims of study were to determine the periodontalhealth status in patient with RA and chronic periodontitis and compare it with those having chronic periodontitiswithout RA anddetermine the level of salivary elements Copper(Cu),Zinc( Zn) and Magnesium( Mg) in patients withrheumatoid arthritis and patients have no rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and compare with the control group.Andcorrelate 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 ofRheumatology at Baghdad hospital. Seventy five female patients participated in this study, twenty five of themrheumatoid arthritis patient andhad chronic periodontitis; twenty five were with chronicperiodontitis and have noarthritis; Twenty five patients wereperiodontally and systemically healthy (control group). Patients were with agerange 40-50 yearswith no other systemic diseases. The smokers and patients taking medication affectingperiodontium status were excluded from the study.Also the patients had normal weight and length. Periodontalparameters were measuredin all groups at four surfaces.Salivary elements (Zn, Cu and Mg) also measured in thisstudy.Results: Patients with RA had higher prevalence of sites presenting dental plaque, a higher rate of gingivalinflammation and bleeding on probing,greater probing depth, and greater attachment loss compared with controland high level of Copper and low level of Zinc and Magnesium.Conclusion: The results suggest higher potentiality for moderate to severe periodontitis involvement among RApatients, with higher levels of Copper (Cu), and low level of Zinc (Zn) and Magnesium (Mg).