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Chronic kidney disease (CKD) presently affects one in 9 Americans, according to the National Kidney Foundation. Debilitating effects from CKD can lead to heart disease and/or kidney failure. A recent article in the Journal of Periodontology suggested that edentulous patients are more likely to have CKD than those with full or partial dentition.
At Case Western Reserve University, 4,053 adults aged 40 and older were evaluated for kidney function and periodontal health. After elimination of risk factors such as age, race/ethnicity, and smoking, results indicated that edentulism was found to be “significantly associated” with CKD. Participants who had lost all of their teeth were more likely to have CKD than those who had kept their teeth. Edentulism in this study was linked to evidence of past periodontal disease and chronic inflammation.
CKD is considered an inflammatory disease that now may join other adverse systemic conditions with a common link to oral health status.
(Source: perio.org, Oct. 14, 2008.)
