The dental and periodontal health status of HD patients is comparable with healthy controls, but becomes worse with time on dialysis. Thus, oral health maintenance is of utmost importance in this patient group.

Chronic renal failure patients on PD treatment are more susceptible to periodontal diseases like HD patients. Thus, it is very important to maintain an optimal oral hygiene level. Further studies on periodontal parameters of only PD patients are needed to get more information on the oral health status of this patient group.

Objective The aim of this study was to compare QT dispersion (QTd) and signal-averaged electrocardiogram (SA-ECG) parameters that may predict risk of malignant arrhythmias in patients on hemodialysis (HD), on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), and in controls. Setting Controlled cross-sectional study in a tertiary- care setting. Patients 28 HD (M/F 18/10; mean age 32 ± 9 years), 29 CAPD (M/F 17/12; mean age 34 ± 10 years), and 29 healthy controls (M/F 17/12; mean age 32 ± 8 years) were included. Interventions On ECG, minimum (QTmin) and maximum (QTmax) QT duration and their difference (QTd) were measured. In SA-ECG, duration of filtered QRS, HFLA signals less than 40 μV, and RMS voltage (40 ms) were also measured. Results Higher serum Ca2+ and lower K+ levels were found in CAPD compared to HD. All QT parameters were increased in HD and CAPD compared to controls. QT dispersion was significantly prolonged in HD compared to CAPD. In HD, QTd was correlated with left ventricular (LV) mass index ( r = 0.53, p = 0.004), but not in CAPD ( r = -0.09, p = 0.63). QT dispersion was significantly prolonged in patients with LV hypertrophy compared to patients without hypertrophy on HD (68 ± 18 ms vs 49 ± 18 ms, p = 0.008). In the analysis of SA-ECG, 3 of the 28 (11%) HD and 2 of the 29 (7%) CAPD patients had abnormal late potentials. Patients on HD and CAPD had significantly higher filtered-QRS duration compared to controls (105 ± 15 ms and 104 ± 12 ms vs 95 ± 5 ms, respectively, p = 0.04). Patients with LV hypertrophy had higher filtered-QRS duration compared to patients without hypertrophy (109 ± 12 ms vs 95 ± 8 ms, p < 0.001). Conclusion Dialysis patients had prolonged QTd and increased filtered-QRS duration in SA-ECG compared to controls. Patients on HD had longer QTd than patients on CAPD. QTd has been correlated to LV mass index in HD, but not in CAPD. This difference might be due to the effect of different dialysis modalities on electrolytes, especially the higher serum Ca2+ levels.

Atherosclerosis is independently associated with coronary artery calcification and with hyperphosphataemia in chronic HD patients. CACS appeared to be predictive of both coronary atherosclerosis and carotid atherosclerosis.

Background. In previous studies, the oral and dental health statuses were compared in hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients without taking into account the effect of educational levels on oral health. Hence we aimed to make a comparison of these parameters based upon the subjects educational levels. Patients and Methods. 76 PD (33 males, 43 females-mean age: 44 ± 12 years) and 100 HD (56 males, 44 females-mean age: 46 ± 14 years) patients were included. The number of decayed, missing and filled teeth were detected, DMFT index was calculated and plaque index (PI) values were assessed. Results. Significantly higher numbers of filled teeth (P < .001) and lower PI values (P < .01) in the PD group were detected with higher educational levels, whereas no significance was detected in the HD group. Higher DMFT index values were assessed in the lower educated and high school levels in PD than HD patients (P < .05). Higher numbers of filled teeth (P < .05) were detected in the secondary school level in PD patients. This difference was even more significant in the high school level (P < .001). Conclusion. We assume that PD patients, who were found to be in a higher educational level, are more caring for their oral health as compared to HD patients.