ABSTRACT
Purpose: The current study was directed to estimate the role of porphoromonas gingivalis in the relation between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis by using subantimicrobial dose doxycycline.
Subjects and methodology: The current study was accomplished on twenty patients who had mild or moderate chronic periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis they were partitioned into two groups: Group I; ten patients were exposed to mechanical debridement only and Group II: ten patients were exposed to mechanical debridement added to receiving small dose doxycycline (SDD) as a host modulatory agent (20mg twice daily) for three months. Results: group I exhibited a greatly significant improvement in clinical parameter in correlation to group II after three months follow up. Group II showed the statistically significantly lowest percentage decrease in number of bacteria in synovial fluid Conclusion: The adjunct use of doxycycline as host modulatory agent improved the treatment outcomes when used with mechanical debridement in rheumatoid arthritis and patients with periodontitis.
KEYWORDS: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Periodontitis, low dose doxycycline, Porphoromonas Gingivalis