Oral lesions in a group of kidney transplant patients

To assess the prevalence of oral mucosa lesions (OL) in a group of kidney transplant (KT) patients, and analyze possible OL associations with one another and with drugs use and relevant clinical and laboratory variables.

Transversal study, in which consecutive KT patients from the nephrology outpatient service at a General Zonal Hospital were examined. The prevalence of several types of OL was assessed, and their possible statistical associations with one another and total leukocyte count, renal function, the simplified oral hygiene index (S-OHI), cyclosporin-A (CsA) dose and blood levels, and nifedipine use was analyzed. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between gingival hyperplasia (GH) and CsA dose and nifedipine use.

Fifty (55.6%) men and forty (44.4%) women were studied. Sixty percent of the patients had at least one OL. Oral candidiasis (OC) was found in 18.7%; 13% had lesions clinically compatible with hairy leukoplakia (CHL). An association was found between OC and CHL (P<0.05). Saburral tongue (ST) was found in 22% of the patients and gingival hyperplasia (GH) in 49%, which was distributed as follows: Grade 1 in 11 (12.2%); Grade 2 in 26 (28.9%), and Grade 3 in 7 (7.8%). Logistic regression results showed an association between GH and poor oral hygiene (P< 0.001), but not to either CsA dose or blood levels, or nifedipine use (P=0.075).

Sixty percent of the KT patients had at least one OL. The association between GH and poor oral hygiene corroborate the need for oral hygiene practices supervision in the transplant patient.