Relation between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal diseases: Using the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 대한구강보건학회지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been associated with systemic diseases, such as periodontal diseases. Periodontal diseases and RA appear to share many pathologic features. The etiology of the two diseases may differ, but they share similar pathological characteristics. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between RA and periodontal diseases. METHODS: Data from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES) were used to analyze periodontal status according to the presence of RA. Demographics and oral behaviors were analyzed using the complex chi-square test to compare participants with RA with those without RA. Complex logistic regression was used to analyze relationships of periodontal diseases with RA and other covariates. RESULTS: The odds ratio for periodontal diseases was 1.91 (95% confidence interval 1.05-3.48) in participants with RA compared with participants without RA. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study provide evidence of a significant association between periodontal diseases and RA.