Introduction:

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a microorganism present in periodontitis, producer of the enzyme peptidyl arginine deminase that induces citrullination of proteins, turning them into antigens, which are recognized by anti-citrullinated cyclic peptide antibodies, specific markers of rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical and epidemiological studies link smoking with periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective:

To evaluate the association between smoking, the presence of chronic periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods:

An observational, analytical, cross-sectional study of cases and controls of patients with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis treated at the Rheumatology Center and patients treated by Internal Medicine in 10 de Octubre Surgical- Clinic Hospital in Havana, between September 2017 and May 2019. The variables were: age, sex, smoking habit and periodontal status evaluated through the Russell Periodontal Disease Index and Level of Clinical Insertion. For the association and relationship between variables, the chi square and the odds ratio were used. Ethical legislation was respected.

Results:

In the study the group of 35 to 44 years old and the female sex prevailed. Smoking prevailed in arthritic patients with a remarkable increase in the prevalence and severity of periodontal disease.

Conclusions:

Smoking increased the risk of chronic periodontitis in both groups with less intensity of risk in rheumatoid arthritis.

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