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Dentofacial characteristics of patients with rheumatoid arthritis

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Abstract

Objectives

The aims of this study are to evaluate the dentofacial morphology of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to compare the morphological data with those of healthy age- and sex-matched control subjects.

Methods

Twenty-seven RA patients (mean age, 45.77 ± 8.64 years) and 25 healthy subjects (mean age, 44.80 ± 8.24 years) participated in this prospective study. Clinical and functional evaluations of the RA patients were assessed. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein level, rheumatoid factor level, and anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies (ACPA) titers of RA patients were determined, and DAS28 scores were calculated. Linear and angular measurements were performed on cephalometric tracings and condylar erosion was evaluated on lateral panoramic radiographs. Statistical comparison of the two groups was performed with an independent samples t test. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between the clinical and laboratory parameters.

Results

Based on DAS28 scores, no patient with RA was in the remission period, 3 patients had low, 23 had medium, and 1 had high disease activity. Sixteen (59.26 %) patients with RA had positive ACPA titers. Lateral cephalometric radiographs revealed statistically significant difference between the two groups for the measurement of U1–NA (millimeter; p = 0.047), U1–NA (degrees; p = 0.031), L1–NB (degrees; p = 0.030), IMPA (L1–MP; p = 0.001), interincisal angle (U1–L1; degrees; p = 0.022) and midface length (Co–A; millimeter; p = 0.033). A significant positive linear correlation was found between disease duration time and DAS28 scores (r = 0.066, p = 0.040).

Conclusions

Dentoalveolar effects of RA on dentofacial morphology are more significant than the skeletal effects. Future studies with larger sample sizes are required to evaluate the exact effects of RA on dentofacial morphology.

Clinical relevance

Clinicians should consider the fact that RA-associated dentoalveolar changes can be observed and may affect the orthodontic treatment process.

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Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Suleyman Demirel, Dogu Kampusu, 32260, Isparta, Turkey

    Derya Yıldırım & H. Hüseyin Yılmaz

  2. Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Akdeniz, Antalya, Turkey

    Hakan Türkkahraman & Ahmet Yalçın Güngör

  3. Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Suleyman Demirel, Isparta, Turkey

    Yunus Ugan

Authors
  1. Derya Yıldırım
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  2. Hakan Türkkahraman
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  3. H. Hüseyin Yılmaz
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  4. Ahmet Yalçın Güngör
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  5. Yunus Ugan
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Correspondence to Derya Yıldırım.

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Yıldırım, D., Türkkahraman, H., Yılmaz, H.H. et al. Dentofacial characteristics of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Oral Invest 17, 1677–1683 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-012-0861-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-012-0861-7

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