Association of impaired oral health status with chronic kidney disease in post-acute rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND

Despite the growing interest in oral health and chronic disease in geriatric medicine, the evidence of an association between the two variables is limited.

OBJECTIVES

This study sought to examine the association between oral health status and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in this setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included consecutive post-acute patients in a rehabilitation hospital. Oral health status was evaluated using the Revised Oral Assessment Guide (ROAG). Renal function or CKD stage was assessed by measurement of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine which subcategories of ROAG were independently associated with advanced CKD stages (vs. early CKD stages). Multiple linear regression analysis was used to clarify whether eGFR on admission was independently associated with ROAG score after adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 1056 (mean age 70 years; 52% women) were included in the analysis. Slight and moderate-to-severe oral health problems were detected in 57.7% and 15.4% of patients, respectively. Patients with oral problems had a more severe stage of CKD (P = .036) and a lower eGFR (P = .028). Among subitems of ROAG, tongue (OR = 1.40, P = .041), saliva (OR = 1.72, P = .039) and oral cavity mucosa (OR = 1.37, P = .013) status was independently associated with the presence of CKD stages 3, 4 and 5. Furthermore, eGFR was independently associated with ROAG score (β = -0.180, P = .034) after adjusting for possible confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

Impaired oral health status is common and closely associated with CKD in post-acute inpatients.