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Antibodies against citrullinated proteins in relation to periodontitis with or without rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study

Lew PH 1 , Rahman MT 2 , Safii SH 1 , Baharuddin NA 1 , Bartold PM 3 , Sockalingam S 4 Show all authors , Kassim NLA 5 , Vaithilingam RD 6

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2 Dean's Office, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 3 Department of Dentistry, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
  • 4 Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 5 Kulliyyah of Education, International Islamic University Malaysia, 53100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 6 Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. rathna@um.edu.my
BMC Oral Health, 2021 07 20;21(1):360.
PMID: 34284769 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-021-01712-y

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported conflicting findings between serum anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) levels in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) participants with and without periodontitis (Pd). This study aimed to analyse possible correlations between serum ACPA levels and clinical parameters in Pd and RA participants.

METHODS: Full mouth periodontal examination (probing pocket depth, clinical attachment levels, gingival bleeding index, visual plaque index) was conducted and serum samples obtained from 80 participants comprising RA, Pd, both RA and Pd (RAPd) and healthy individuals (HC). Erythrocyte sedimentation rates (ESR) and periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) were obtained. Serum samples were analysed for ACPA quantification using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS: Median levels (IU/mL) of ACPA (interquartile range, IQR) in RAPd, RA, Pd and HC groups were 118.58(274.51), 102.02(252.89), 78.48(132.6) and 51.67(91.31) respectively. ACPA levels were significantly higher in RAPd and RA as compared to HC group (p  RA > Pd > HC. However, lack of any significant correlation between the serum ACPA levels with the clinical Pd and RA parameters warrants further studies to investigate the causal link between RA and Pd for such a trend. Further studies involving more inflammatory biomarkers might be useful to establish the causal link between Pd in the development and progression of RA or vice versa.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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