Periodontal Status in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis

Statement of the problem: Patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis are affected by many systemic diseases due to their lack of ability to control water and electrolyte balance and filtrate waste products. Obviously, there would be some manifestations in the oral cavity especially in the gingiva. Purpose: This study was carried out to survey the prevalence of periodontal disease and its related characteristics in hemodialysis patients from the dialysis department of educational Ekbatan Hospital in Hamadan Material and Methods: Thirty one patients (۱۴ women and ۱۷ men) who were continuously receiving therapy in the dialysis ward were studied. Periodontal Disease Index (PDI ), Papillary Bleeding Index ( PBI ) and Plaque Control Record Index ( PCRI ) were measured and the information was recorded in a questionnaire containing variables such as status of dialysis, tooth brushing habits, history of transplantation and its related oral manifestations. Then, the recorded data were analyzed. Results: The results revealed that all patients had periodontal disease. Plaque control record index was higher than ۵۰% in nearly all patients .Despite the high accumulation of plaque in the patients; the rate of gingival bleeding was low. Also, it was demonstrated that more than half of the patients did not brush their teeth. Patients with a history of renal transplantation had a lower plaque accumulation compared to the others, and consequently periodontal disease was less observed. It was also demonstrated that the older hemodialysis patients, the more severe periodontal disease Conclusion: It seems that patients did not pay much attention to their oral hygiene; therefore the need for appropriate instructions and mane education in this regard is evident.