Association Between Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Duration and Periodontal Health: A Retrospective Observational Study

BackgroundRheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that may be associated with alterations in periodontal health and disease.However, the relationship between RA duration and periodontal status remains incompletely characterized.This study evaluated the association between RA duration and periodontal disease. MethodologyThis retrospective observational study included 180 patients with RA.Patients were categorized according to RA duration as <5 years, 5-10 years, and >10 years, with 60 patients in each group.Periodontal parameters included the plaque index, bleeding on probing (BOP), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and the number of missing teeth.Demographic and rheumatologic variables were also extracted.Between-group comparisons were performed using appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests.Multivariable linear regression was used to assess associations between RA duration and continuous periodontal outcomes, while multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate severe periodontitis. ResultsPatients with RA for a duration of >10 years had significantly higher plaque index, BOP, PPD, and CAL than those with shorter disease duration.The mean plaque index increased from 0.99 ± 0.33 to 1.90 ± 0.29, BOP from 21.49 ± 9.23% to 53.16 ± 9.25%, PPD from 2.44 ± 0.48 mm to 4.11 ± 0.36 mm, and CAL from 1.67 ± 0.57 mm to 5.14 ± 0.85 mm (all p < 0.001).The number of missing teeth increased from 1.20 ± 1.10 to 4.60 ± 1.40 (p < 0.001).After adjustment for age, sex, smoking status, diabetes mellitus, body mass index, plaque index, and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug use, RA duration remained significantly associated with CAL (B = 0.158, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.130-0.185;p < 0.001) and PPD (B = 0.073, 95% CI: 0.056-0.090;p < 0.001).However, RA duration was not significantly associated with severe periodontitis (odds ratio = 1.01, 95% CI: 0.94-1.08;p = 0.761). ConclusionsLonger RA duration was associated with progressively poorer periodontal health, particularly greater periodontal pocketing and attachment loss.Regular periodontal assessment may be warranted in patients with long-standing RA.These findings highlight the potential value of integrating periodontal evaluation into the routine management of patients with prolonged RA.Further longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the temporal relationship between RA duration and periodontal deterioration.