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

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Oral Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects millions globally, with early stages often asymptomatic.
• Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a key indicator of kidney function.
• Understanding the impact of reduced GFR on oral health is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess and compare the oral health status of patients with mildly decreased GFR (60-89 mL/min) to a healthy control group.
• To investigate potential links between early-stage kidney dysfunction and common oral health parameters.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study involving 80 adults with mildly decreased GFR and 80 age- and gender-matched controls with normal GFR (>=90 mL/min).
• Evaluated oral health through intraoral examinations assessing decayed, missing, or filled teeth, plaque, calculus, gingival inflammation, pocket depth, attachment loss, and mobility.
• Renal function was confirmed using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences were observed between the GFR group and controls regarding the number of decayed, missing, or filled teeth.
• Supragingival plaque accumulation, calculus, gingival inflammation, and periodontal parameters (pocket depth, clinical attachment loss) showed no significant variations.
• Dental mobility was also comparable between patients with mildly reduced GFR and the healthy control group.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to examine dental health in individuals with early-stage chronic kidney disease.
• Results indicate that mildly decreased GFR does not lead to detectable alterations in oral health status.
• Further research may explore longitudinal changes or the impact of more advanced CKD stages on oral health.