Influence of treatment to remove oral inflammation foci on the systemic malnutrition and inflammation markers of dialysis patients: A series of cases

Abstract

Background and objectives: Studies report a more precarious oral health status, with a higher prevalence of periodontal disease, in hemodialysis patients. Also, oral inflammation foci, mainly periodontal disease, are related to systemic inflammation and malnutrition which have a negative impact on morbidity and mortality in these patients. The aim of this study is to observe the influence of dental on the general status of these patients. Material and Methods: The study is a series of cases and was conducted in two phases: data collection and treatment phase and monitoring phase. Dental treatment was performed on 13 patients, with ages between 43-69 years of age, diagnosed with moderate or severe periodontal disease. Oral status parameters (plaque and gingival bleeding index, pocket depth, attachment level, DMFT and CPITN index) and general parameters (C-reactive protein, albumin, hemoglobin, calcium phosphate product, calcium and phosphate levels, erythropoietic-stimulating agents) were registered and monitored. Conventional periodontal treatment, dental extractions, endodontic treatments were performed. Results: Oral assessment showed a statistically significant improvement of oral parameters, at both 1 month and 3 months post-treatment. Mean values for albumin, C-reactive protein, hemoglobin, calcium phosphate product and calcium levels had a slight improvement, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The oral status, characterized by the measured periodontal parameters, improved visibly and statistically significant after the dental treatment. The parameters of the general status did not change significantly following the intervention.