Prevalence of caries disease in patients with Rheumatoid arthritis: Results of a comparative study

Objectives: This study aims to determine the prevalence of dental caries in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and compare it with controls. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between two departments of the Ibn Sina University Hospital in Rabat: the Conservative Dentistry Department at the Center for Consultation and Dental Treatment and the Rheumatology B Department at El Ayachi Hospital in Salé.We collected socio-demographic, disease, and oral health data for each patient, assessing caries prevalence using the DMFT index (Decayed, Missing, and Filled teeth ) along with gingival and plaque indices (Löe and Silness) Results: We recruited 61 patients, including 31 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 30 control patients. The average age was 47.6 ± 13.1 years, mostly female, with 59.3% postmenopausal. RA patients had a higher number of missing teeth (8.3±7 [0; 19]), moderate to severe gingival inflammation in 64.6% of patients, and significant plaque buildup in 67.7% of cases. Only 38.7% of patients used proper brushing techniques, and 45.2% viewed their condition as a barrier to oral hygiene.The DMFT index in the RA group was 15.5, with an average of 2 [0; 4] filled teeth, compared to 0 [0; 2] in the control group (p=0.05). 67.7% of RA patients had visible plaque deposits, and 64.6% showed moderate to severe gingival inflammation Conclusion: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis exhibited poorer oral health compared to the control group, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary care, including regular dental consultations and treatment