The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) depending on their oral health in comparison with healthy controls (HCs).
One hundred three RA patients (55.5 years, female 58) were included. A healthy control group (HC n = 104; 56.7 years, female 68) was matched according to age, gender, and smoking habits. The OHRQoL was determined by Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-G14 questionnaire. Oral examination included dental findings (DMF-T), gingival inflammation (PBI), periodontal probing depth (PPD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BOP). Based on CAL and/or PPD, periodontitis was categorized as healthy/mild, moderate, or severe.
trend test (Cochran-Armitage) and Wilcoxon rank-sum test (α = 5%).
For DMF-T (RA 17.6 ± 6.1, HC 16.0 ± 6.5) and PBI (RA 0.10 ± 0.18, HC 0.08 ± 0.18), no significant differences between both groups were found (p > 0.05). Approximately 65% of RA group and 79% of HC group showed moderate to severe periodontitis (p = 0.02); RA patients showed significantly higher BOP values (p < 0.01). OHRQoL was significantly worse in RA group compared to HC group (mean OHIP value RA = 7.3 ± 7.2, HC = 1.6 ± 2.1; p < 0.001). In the HC group, a significant effect of DMF-T, M-T, and PD on OHRQoL was detected (p < 0.01), whereas in the RA group, no influence was determined (p > 0.05).
Interdisciplinary collaboration between dentists and rheumatologists is necessary, whereby psychological factors should be considered.
RA patients showed a worse OHRQoL than HC patients, which was independent of dental and periodontal conditions. RA patients require a more intensive care in consideration of dental, medical, and psychological factors.