A new study suggests that changes in the oral microbiome may be associated with symptomatic hand arthritis, a condition that can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced grip strength. Researchers analyzed saliva samples from people with and without symptomatic hand arthritis and found lower microbial diversity and altered bacterial composition in those with the condition. Higher levels of Trichococcus bacteria were linked to more severe symptoms and were also associated with changes in a gut microbial pathway previously connected to hand arthritis. The study also found disrupted communication between the oral and gut microbiomes. However, the observational research cannot prove that these microbial changes cause arthritis.
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