Abstract:
Objectives We aimed to investigate prolactin (PRL) levels in gingival crevicular fuid (GCF), synovial fuid, and serum in
patients sufering from moderately active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with and without periodontitis (P). Further, to evaluate
the efect of non-surgical periodontal treatment on these levels compared to controls.
Materials and methods Eighty subjects were divided into 4 groups: group 1: 20 patients with RA+P, group 2: 20 periodon-
titis patients (systemically healthy), group 3: RA patients (periodontally healthy), and group 4: healthy controls. Patients
with periodontitis received scaling and root planning (SRP). PRL was measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.
Results At baseline, in GCF of RA+P group showed the highest mean PRL levels, followed by P group whereas groups
3 and 4 showed a statistically less values than the frst 2 groups. Serum values showed non-signifcant diference between
the frst three groups, although higher than healthy controls. SRP reduced GCF and serum levels of PRL in both P groups
as well as synovial fuid PRL in group 1. SRP caused no change in DAS scores while reduced ESR values were observed
in group 1 after treatment.
Conclusions Local GCF and synovial levels of PRL seem to be linked to the disease process of both periodontitis and rheu-
matoid arthritis than serum levels. SRP reduced these local levels.
Clinical relevance In patients with RA and CP, local PRL seems to play a role in the association between the two conditions;
further, periodontal treatment is essential to improve periodontal condition in RA patients.
Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov. Identifer: NCT04279691.
