RA now linked to oral bacterial health.

[sdowney717]

Apparently gum disease, bacteria can enter the bloodstream and or create 'citrullinated proteins', that go to joints and initiate an auto immune reaction. The body immune system sees these protein things, and attacks the joint tissue.

I was wondering if PMR may also be an infection related causation!

naturalnews.com/2019-03-21-...

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University have found a type of infectious bacteria that is taking over depleted microbiomes, which could trigger both severe gum disease and rheumatoid arthritis. They report that the bacteria Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans are found in roughly 33 percent of people and are predominant in patients with periodontal disease and/or rheumatoid arthritis.

The team found evidence that 47 percent of patients experiencing rheumatoid arthritis also were infected with the same bacterium that is causing their periodontal disease. At first, the researchers recognized a pattern of damage taking place in the gums of patients with periodontal disease similar to what’s seen in the joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients. In periodontal disease, the bacteria spurs the production of citrullinated proteins, which initiate an antibody response.

[Kendrew]

Mmm. Interesting.....I've read past articles in the BMJ suggesting a link between gum disease and heart disease too. Damaged and diseased gums is thought to elevate the risk of developing heart disease but unfortunately I can't remember the explanation for this.

[SnazzyD in reply to Kendrew]

I’ve seen cases of pericarditis from dental decay/gum disease.

[Nextoneplease in reply to SnazzyD]

I had a bad bout of endocarditis which the doctors speculated was due to dental treatment. However, it transpired that was not the case, and the cause of the infection remained a mystery….albeit one that kept me in hospital for nearly three months!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Kendrew]

pennmedicine.org/updates/bl....

is a link I can get to work that explains some of it

[Kendrew in reply to PMRpro]

👍👍Thankyou

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Anti-CCP antibodies in a patient with PMR symptoms would lead to a diagnosis of LORA (late or elderly onset RA)

academic.oup.com/rheumatolo...

[S4ndy]

When I had a lot of dental problems during lockdown both my dentist and my Rheumatologist were not surprised when my joint problems got worse. Once the infection was under control and the bad teeth removed everything settled back down. I wasn't at all surprised to see this.

My grandmother and maternal aunt both had their teeth removed because of gum disease in their 40s both had RA diagnosis later in life. My mother also lost her teeth to the same thing when she was 26! She didn't live beyond 58 and as far as I know didn't have RA. She had metastatic cancer though. My maternal cousin and me both have had dental issues. We've both had teeth removed but luckily we've both still got teeth but we both have joint problems.

My doctors have already said to me they suspect a type of inflammatory arthritis in addition to pmr but to date haven't given it a name. I am 61 and my cousin 60. Both of us need surgery, hip for her, spine for me. I've already had knee arthroscopic surgery.

Does make you wonder if there's a genetic link between gum disease and certain types of arthritis.

[Broseley]

In contrast to S4ndy both my mother and my MIL had their teeth removed in their 20s due to gum disease but neither developed RA or anything related. My mum didn't even get OA, which crippled my grandmother. However both developed heart problems.

However at the same time I developed PMR I was diagnosed with a tooth abscess which had been there for months unnoticed, as the dentist said it must have been draining. It was only when the tooth became loose and I queried it at a check up, that it was spotted on an Xray going right up to my eye! It took 9 months to heal. I never thought that there might be a connection!