Relationship between Tooth Loss and the Medications Used for the Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Japanese Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: There is limited information regarding the association between tooth loss and the medications used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we examined the association between tooth loss, disease severity, and drug treatment regimens in RA patients. Method: This study recruited 94 Japanese patients with RA. The severity of RA was assessed using the Steinbrocker classification of class and stage. Data on RA medications were obtained from medical records. We examined the associations between tooth loss, RA severity, and drug treatment regi mens using multinomial logistic regression analyses. Results: Patients with 1–19 teeth had significantly higher odds ratios (ORs) of taking methotrexate (MTX) (OR, 8.74; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.11–68.8) and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) (OR, 21.0; 95% CI, 1.3–339.1) compared to those with 27–28 teeth when adjusted for RA severity (class). Furthermore, patients with 1–19 teeth had significantly higher ORs of taking MTX (OR, 9.71; 95% CI, 1.22–77.1) and bDMARDs (OR, 50.2; 95% CI, 2.55–990.6) compared to those with 27–28 teeth when adjusted for RA severity (stage). Conclusion: RA patients with fewer teeth were more likely to take stronger RA therapies, independent of RA severity and other factors.