The frequency and severity of dental caries, and counts of cariogenic bacteria in rheumatoid arthritis patients [Częstość i intensywność próchnicy oraz liczba bakterii próchnicotwórczych u pacjentów z reumatoidalnym zapaleniem stawów]
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Background. It has been reported that patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are more likely to exhibit periodontitis than patients without RA. However, the frequency and severity of dental caries in patients with RA is still unknown. Objectives. The aim of the study was to investigate whether higher counts of cariogenic bacteria are present in RA patients in contrast to healthy subjects, and to ascertain whether the frequency and severity of dental caries are increased in RA patients. Material and methods. The study involved 160 adults: an RA group (n = 80) and a control group matched by age and gender (n = 80). The participants’ dental status scores were determined based on the following indices: the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index, the Filled and Sound Teeth (FS-T) index, Treatment Needs Index (TNI), Care Index (CI), and Integrative Dental Caries Index (IDCI). DNA copies of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Streptococcus sobrinus (S. sobrinus) were quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results. The IDCI showed that the RA group was more affected, mainly presenting moderate to severe dental caries. The RA group also had higher global DMFT scores than the control group and scored higher on the decayed component of the DMFT index. The TNI and CI indicated that RA patients required more dental attention and appropriate treatment. The Streptococcus mutans count was significantly higher in the RA group. Conclusions. A complete basic oral examination, along with oral health instruction including adequate oral and dental hygiene, is crucial to prevent dental caries and associated complications in RA patients, since they appear to be more vulnerable than the non-RA population. © 2019 by Wroclaw Medical University.
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Dental caries; Rheumatoid arthritis; Streptococcus mutans; Streptococcus sobrinus mouthwash; adult; anticariogenic activity; Article; bacterial count; care index; caries assessment; controlled study; cross-sectional study; dental caries; disease association; disease severity; DMFT index; female; filled and sound teeth index; gene dosage; health status; human; integrative dental caries index; major clinical study; male; morbidity; mouth hygiene; plaque index; prospective study; real time polymerase chain reaction; rheumatoid arthritis; risk factor; Streptococcus mutans; Streptococcus sobrinus; tooth brushing; tooth plaque; treatment needs index; complication; isolation and purification; microbiology; pathogenicity; tooth plaque; Adult; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Dental Caries; Dental Plaque; Humans; Streptococcus mutans; Streptococcus sobrinus
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