Periodontitis in Patients Receiving Haemodialysis: A Scoping Review.

Area of Science:

• Oral Health
• Nephrology
• Systemic Inflammation

Background:

• Periodontitis, an inflammatory oral disease, is frequently observed in patients with kidney failure.
• Hemodialysis (HD) is the standard treatment for kidney failure, a condition with rising global prevalence.
• Understanding the link between periodontitis and HD is critical due to increasing incidence of both conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the relationship between periodontitis and hemodialysis (HD).
• To examine the impact of periodontal health on clinical outcomes and quality of life in HD patients.

Main Methods:

• A scoping review following Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines.
• Searched Medline, Embase, Scopus, and grey literature up to December 2023.
• Thematic analysis was used to summarize data from 81 included articles.

Main Results:

• Prevalence of periodontitis in HD patients varied widely (36.27%–99.06%), with most studies from Europe and Asia.
• Periodontitis was associated with increased risks of comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic syndrome.
• Findings indicate a significant link between periodontal disease and adverse systemic health outcomes in HD patients.

Conclusions:

• Periodontitis is highly prevalent in hemodialysis patients and linked to negative systemic and oral health outcomes.
• Current evidence is limited by inconsistent case definitions and a lack of longitudinal studies for causal inference.
• Standardized diagnostic criteria and longitudinal research are recommended to inform integrated care strategies for these patients.