Introduction:

The effect of nonsurgical periodontal treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is limited and controversial.

Objective:

To evaluate the effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on the activity of rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods:

a quasi-experimental study of therapeutic intervention was carried out in 30 patients of both sexes between 35 and 70 years of age with a clinical diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis. Patients with more than eight teeth present and written approval to participate in the research and excluded were included in this study: pregnant women, smokers and those who received periodontal or antibiotic therapy. The clinical - serological rheumatoid and periodontal parameters were evaluated: before and 30 days after periodontal therapy. The variables studied were: forms of periodontitis and activity of the arthritic disease. Absolute and relative frequencies, chi-square and Spearman's correlation at 95 % confidence were used.

Results:

The age group of 45-54 years and the female sex were predominant. Early and moderate periodontitis was the most prevalent before periodontal treatment and was associated with moderate levels of rheumatoid activity. After periodontal treatment, decreases in periodontal status and rheumatic disease activity were confirmed in 73.3 % of patients.

Conclusions:

Non-surgical periodontal therapy improved the periodontal status and activity levels of rheumatoid arthritis.

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