Periodontal inflammation in patients with polymyalgia rheumatica.

BACKGROUND

Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is an inflammatory disorder affecting individuals aged ≥50 years, in which pro-inflammatory cytokines play a key role and may contribute to periodontal inflammation.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the frequency and severity of periodontal disease in patients with PMR compared with healthy controls.

METHODS

The study included 48 patients diagnosed with PMR and 52 age- and gender-matched systemically healthy individuals as controls. Periodontal status was assessed based on probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing (BoP), and gingival index (GI). Periodontal diagnoses were categorized as Stage I or II periodontitis, gingivitis, or healthy periodontium.

RESULTS

Among PMR patients, 11 had Stage I periodontitis, 3 had Stage II periodontitis, 30 had gingivitis, and 4 were periodontally healthy. In the control group, 9 had Stage I periodontitis, 3 had Stage II periodontitis, 34 had gingivitis, and 6 were healthy. While no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in PPD, CAL, or PI values, both PPD and CAL were higher in the PMR group. BoP was significantly higher in the PMR group compared to controls (58.3±34.7% vs 37.8±25.3%, p = 0.001). Similarly, GI scores were significantly higher in PMR patients (1.56±0.50 vs 1.27±0.54, p = 0 .007).

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the similarities between PMR and rheumatoid arthritis in terms of systemic inflammatory pathways, our results support the hypothesis that PMR, like rheumatoid arthritis, may also be linked to an increased risk of periodontal disease.