AIM: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis present many similar features. The benefits of anti-B lymphocyte therapy (rituximab) on reducing tissue resorption in RA prompted us to assess its potential efficacy on the periodontal status of patients with RA treated with rituximab. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Periodontal status was assessed in 21 subjects with RA, divided into two groups: Group I consisted in 11 subjects assessed before their first infusion of rituximab and again 6 months later. Five of them were also assessed for up to 4 years after their first rituximab infusion. The 10 subjects in group II had received more than two courses of two rituximab infusions at the time of periodontal assessment. RESULTS: Pocket depth and attachment loss were significantly decreased 6 months after treatment with rituximab in group I. The periodontal status of the five subjects from group I followed for up to 48 months after rituximab treatment was improved irrespective of the clinical parameter observed. Patients from group II had a better periodontal status than patients from group I before treatment with rituximab. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-B lymphocyte therapy could be beneficial to improve periodontitis suggesting a major role of B cells in this disease.
AIM: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis present many similar features. The benefits of anti-B lymphocyte therapy (rituximab) on reducing tissue resorption in RA prompted us to assess its potential efficacy on the periodontal status of patients with RA treated with rituximab. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Periodontal status was assessed in 21 subjects with RA, divided into two groups: Group I consisted in 11 subjects assessed before their first infusion of rituximab and again 6 months later. Five of them were also assessed for up to 4 years after their first rituximab infusion. The 10 subjects in group II had received more than two courses of two rituximab infusions at the time of periodontal assessment. RESULTS: Pocket depth and attachment loss were significantly decreased 6 months after treatment with rituximab in group I. The periodontal status of the five subjects from group I followed for up to 48 months after rituximab treatment was improved irrespective of the clinical parameter observed. Patients from group II had a better periodontal status than patients from group I before treatment with rituximab. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-B lymphocyte therapy could be beneficial to improve periodontitis suggesting a major role of B cells in this disease.
Authors: Leena Äyräväinen; Marjatta Leirisalo-Repo; Antti Kuuliala; Kirsi Ahola; Riitta Koivuniemi; Jukka H Meurman; Anna Maria Heikkinen Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2017-01-31 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Kaja Eriksson; Guozhong Fei; Anna Lundmark; Daniel Benchimol; Linkiat Lee; Yue O O Hu; Anna Kats; Saedis Saevarsdottir; Anca Irinel Catrina; Björn Klinge; Anders F Andersson; Lars Klareskog; Karin Lundberg; Leif Jansson; Tülay Yucel-Lindberg Journal: J Clin Med Date: 2019-05-08 Impact factor: 4.241