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BACKGROUND: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is indicated to play a major function in chronic inflammatory disorders. OBJECTIVE: To assess and compare the cytokine level (TNF-α) in the serum of chronic periodontitis (CP), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), RA with CP, and healthy volunteers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This original research was carried out on 80 participants, divided into Group-I 20 RA patients, Group-II 20 CP patients, Group III 20 RA with CP (RA + CP), and Group IV 20 healthy volunteers. Clinical periodontal and rheumatological parameters were assessed in all the four groups. Blood serum samples have been collected from all individuals and investigated for levels of TNF-α by mean of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: TNF-α level were remarkably elevated in the RA+CP group (30.5±2.2) followed by RA group (17.9 ± 3.6), and CP group (11.9 ± 0.96) when compared with the controls (5.5 ± 3.3). The results showed a statistical significance of P < 0.001. Correlation was not observed on comparision of clinical periodontal parameters and Rheumatological parameters with TNF-α levels. CONCLUSION: The outcome of this present research revealed the presence of higher levels of TNF-α in individuals with RA with CP in our samples.
Thilagar et al. (Mon,) studied this question.