Oral health status of patients with a mild decrease in glomerular filtration rate

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral health status of patients with mildly decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

The study group comprised 80 adults with GFR 60-89 mL/min. A group of 80 age- and gender-matched control subjects with GFR > or =90 mL/min were selected. Medical history, clinical examination, and biochemistry blood tests were performed in patients and control subjects. Renal function was estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. A single dentist performed an intraoral examination of each patient and control subject.

No significant differences were detected between patients and controls in the number of decayed, missing, or filled teeth, supragingival plaque accumulation, calculus deposits, gingival inflammation, depth of periodontal pockets, clinical attachment loss, or dental mobility.

To our knowledge, this is the first study on dental health in the early stages of chronic renal failure. The results suggest that in patients with mildly decreased GFR, there are no alterations of the oral health status.