Volume: 46 Issue: 2
Year: 2026, Page: 92-99, Doi: https://doi.org/10.51248/v46i2.26
Received: Feb. 27, 2026 Accepted: March 24, 2026 Published: April 23, 2026
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Periodontal disease (PD) are chronic inflammatory diseases with significant morbidity and socioeconomic burden. RA is characterized by synovial inflammation, autoantibody production, progressive joint destruction, whereas PD involves dysbiotic microbial biofilms, host immune dysregulation, and alveolar bone loss. Both conditions share common immunopathogenic mechanisms, genetic susceptibility, and environmental risk factors, suggesting a potential bidirectional relationship. Recent evidence suggests that the oral microbiome may contribute to systemic immune modulation and autoimmunity, with periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis implicated in protein citrullination and the generation of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies. Advances in genomics, proteomics, coupled with biomarker identification and microbial profiles, offer opportunities for early diagnosis and risk stratification. Therapeutically, periodontal intervention, biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and targeted anti-cytokine therapies may have synergistic benefits in controlling both periodontal and systemic inflammation. Personalized and multidisciplinary approaches integrating dental and rheumatologic care could improve patient outcomes.
Keywords: Anti citrullinated protein antibodies, periodontitis, Porphyromonas gingivalis, protein – arginine deiminases, rheumatoid arthritis
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