Reduction in alveolar bone density of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the alveolar bone density (ABD) in the upper first molars of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and to compare their ABD with that of healthy controls. Secondary objectives included the evaluation of the influence of medication and rheumatic disease activity on ABD, in addition to the correlation between ABD and periodontal and rheumatologic clinical parameters. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study assessed 16 patients with JIA (six boys and 10 girls; mean age, 16.2 ± 2 years) and 11 controls (six boys and five girls; mean age, 16.4 ± 2.1 years). Probing depth (PD), visible plaque index, gingival bleeding on probing (GBP), and the clinical insertion level (CIL) were recorded. Bite-wing radiographs were obtained and ABD was measured in the upper molars by use of the Kodak RVG 6100 Digital Radiography System. RESULTS ABD, the percentage of sites with PD > 4 mm, and GBP were significantly lower in patients with JIA than in controls (P = 0.001; P = 0.019; P = 0.011, respectively). ABD was influenced by neither medication nor JIA activity, and showed no correlation with periodontal and rheumatologic clinical parameters. CONCLUSION ABD was lower in patients with JIA and seemed to be influenced by neither medication nor rheumatic disease activity. In addition, no correlation was observed between ABD and periodontal and rheumatologic clinical parameters.