Changes in periodontal and rheumatological conditions after 2 years in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Background: The aim of this study was to monitor changes in periodontal inflammation in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) for 2 years. We investigated the influence of rheumatic disease activity and antirheumatic medication on clinical and immunological parameters of periodontal inflammation in these individuals. Methods: Two years after a baseline examination, the periodontal and rheumatological conditions of 18 adolescents with JIA and 14 control subjects were described. The clinical periodontal inflammation was monitored by registration of visual plaque, marginal bleeding, probing depth, and clinical attachment loss (AL). Periodontal inflammation was also assessed by analysis of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1 beta and IL-18 and the collagenase matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and clinical rheumatological parameters were significantly improved at the 2-year follow-up. The number of sites with plaque decreased, and the number of pockets >= 4 mm increased, whereas bleeding levels and the extension of AL remained unchanged. IL-1 beta in gingival crevicular fluid decreased significantly in the JIA group after 2 years. No differences were observed for IL-1 beta MMP-8, or IL-18 levels between groups after 2 years. Conclusion: Two years after the baseline examination, no clinical or laboratory differences in periodontal inflammation could be found between JIA patients and control subjects.