Evaluation of periodontitis and bone loss in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Background: Chronic kidney disease has been a worldwide public health challenge and also a risk factor for oral health. The objectives of this study are to investigate the periodontal status in Chinese patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) and assess periodontal bone loss (BL) using cone-beam computerized tomography (CBCT).

Methods: The patients in the HD and control groups received periodontal and CBCT examinations in the same period. Age, sex, and HD details were obtained from a hospital database. Periodontal status was evaluated using the community periodontal index (CPI) and clinical attachment loss (AL). Periodontal BL was measured by the distance from the cemento-enamel junction to the alveolar crest using CBCT. The distance between the furcation upper and lower boundaries was considered the furcation defect.

Results: One hundred two patients undergoing HD and 204 control patients were enrolled. As for the demographic data and number of remaining teeth for each patient, there was no significant difference between HD and control groups. The CPI and AL showed statistical differences (P <0.001). The results of periodontal BL indicated that the patients undergoing HD had significantly more BL at their mandibular first premolars and first molars than did patients in the control group (P <0.01) at every site except the disto-buccal one (P <0.05). As for the furcation defects, the distance for the patients undergoing HD was nearly double that of the patients in the control group (P <0.001).

Conclusion: Compared with the generally healthy population, periodontitis and periodontal BL were significantly more severe in the Chinese patients undergoing HD.