Multicenter, Prospective Study, on the Consequences of Anti-interleukin 6 Immunotherapy Treatment for Rheumatoid Arthritis on: - Healthy and Pathological Periodontium - The Level of Expression of Some Markers of Inflammation and Periodontal Pathogenic Bacteria in Periodontal Sulci and Periodontal Pockets

Rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis are two inflammatory diseases that share many pathophysiological similarities as some inflammatory mediators like TNF-alpha, IL-1, Il-6, Il-17, Il-12 et Il-17, RANK-L, or OPG The most severe or progressive forms of rheumatoid arthritis require in 10-30% of cases, the use of biotherapies such as anti-TNF-alpha, anti CD-20 and anti-lL-6. All these treatments results in, among other things, an increased risk of infection, both viral and bacterial.

These new biotherapies could have an impact on periodontal status

• either by favouring sub gingival colonization of root surfaces by periodontal pathogenic bacteria and initiate periodontitis or exacerbate pre-existing periodontitis,
• or a positive modulation of the host response by inhibiting bone resorption of the alveolar process.

To date, very few studies have been conducted on this subject which is really a translational research, involving several medical specialties.