Periodontitis is an infectious disease defined by bacteria-mediated inflammation of the supporting tissues of the teeth that if left untreated may ultimately lead to the destruction of the attachment apparatus, culminating in tooth loss. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic destructive inflammatory disease characterized by autoantibodies and the accumulation and persistence of an inflammatory infiltrate in the synovial membrane that leads to synovitis and the destruction of the joint architecture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the possible beneficial additional value of non-surgical periodontal therapy on systemic markers of inflammation and clinical and serological parameters of rheumatoid arthritis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Subjects affected by rheumatoid arthritis with a stable therapeutic regimen for at least 3 months preceding the study participation
• Subjects with at least 15 teeth
• Subjects affected by severe generalized periodontitis that had undergone no periodontal treatment in the 6 months preceding the study participation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age younger than 18 years
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Edentulism
• Diagnosis of other autoimmune pathologies, liver disease, diabetes, early/juvenile arthritis or syndromes associated with RA