Intraoral condition in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis compared to controls

Aims. The aims of this study were to compare the periodontal conditions in children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in comparison to age-matched healthy individuals, and to describe intraoral health in relation to medical assessments. Design. Forty-one JIA patients, 10–19 years old, were compared to 41 controls. Plaque, calculus, probing depth, bleeding on probing, clinical attachment loss, as well as mucosal lesions were registered. Marginal bone level was recorded on radiographs. A questionnaire was included. Data were analysed with chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and Mann–Whitney U-test (P < 0.05). Results. The JIA patients reported pain from jaws (P = 0.001), hands (P = 0.001), and oral ulcers (P = 0.015) more often than controls. They avoided certain types of food because of oral ulcers (P = 0.037). The frequencies of sites with plaque (32% vs. 19%, P = 0.013), calculus (11% vs. 5%, 5 = 0.034), bleeding on probing (26% vs. 14%, P < 0.01), and probing depth  2 mm (32% vs. 2%, P < 0.001) were higher among JIA patients. No sites with attachment loss or reduced marginal bone level were observed. Conclusions. These obtained results are probably because of joint pain, making it difficult to perform oral hygiene as well as the use of medication and general disease activity.