Repercusión sobre el periodonto de la hemodiálisis

Abstract

The periodontal condition of 32 adult patients in chronic renal failure patients treated by hemodialysis was evaluated in order to determine if there was a relationship between duration of dialysis and incidence of periodontal disease. Data collected included plaque and gingivitis indices, pocket depth and length of therapy. Patients were divided into a group with periodontal disease (pocket depth greater than 3 mm) and a group with no periodontal disease. Statistical analysis revealed a highly significant difference (P<0.001) in the length of hemodialysis treatment between patients in the periodontal disease group and in the group with no periodontal disease. No significant differences in age or either plaque index or gingivitis index were observed between the two groups. It is proposed that dysfunctions of immune mechanisms such as impaired neutrophil chemotaxis, lymphocytopenia or leukopenia, that have been described in chronic renal failure patients subject to hemodialysis, may underly the increased susceptibility of these patients to the periodontal disease.