Oral health and pro-inflammatory status in end-stage renal disease patients

The aim of the present study was to investigate the oro-facial health of patients with end stage renal disease, focusing on their periodontal conditions.

A total of 51 patients (33 men) between the ages of 22 and 81 years with different types of chronic kidney disease that needed renal dialysis, underwent a full dental examination including a panoramic radiograph. A blood sample was collected from the subjects to investigate the levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers.

A large proportion of patients had oral health problems. A total of 35% claimed that they suffered problems of the oral cavity and 51% had periapical osteitis around one or more teeth. A high number of patients also suffered from gingivitis (46%), severe periodontitis (35%) and 37% had cavities due to caries. On average the patients had 22.9 (SD 7.3) teeth and 14% had complete or partial dentures. Although periodontitis influenced the C-reactive protein level and oral pathology was significant within this specific population, the correlation between inflammatory biomarkers and dental parameters was weak.

This study indicates that a substantial number of patients who suffer from advanced chronic kidney disease, close to the start of dialysis treatment, have dental problems that require attention.