Gingival Crevicular Fluid MMP‐8 and −13 and TIMP‐1 Levels in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Periodontal Disease

Abstract

The coexistence of RA and periodontitis did not significantly affect the investigated parameters. GCF MMP-8 levels increased with periodontal inflammation. Despite the long-term usage of corticosteroids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, similar GCF MMP-8 and -13 levels in patients with RA and systemically healthy counterparts suggest that RA may create a tendency to overproduce these enzymes.