Oral Health in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Literature Review

Abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a broad term used to describe progressive structural and functional kidney disorders that may be accompanied by a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and that have lasted for at least 3 months [1]. The diagnosis of CKD is also made if GFR values are below 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 for a minimum of 3 months, independently of the presence of kidney damage markers [2,3]. There are several symptoms that can indicate CKD in patients, e.g. abnormalities visible in diagnostic imaging procedures, in blood and urine tests (e.g. proteinuria, abnormal urine sediment) or blood morphology. GFR is, however, the most important factor when it comes to the physiopathology of chronic kidney disease. Nowadays, CKD is classified into five stages, according to the value of this index: stage 1 (GFR > 90 mL/ /min/1.73 m 2 ), stage 2 (60-89 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ), stage 3 (30-59 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ), stage 4 (15-29 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) and stage 5 (GFR < 15 mL/ /min/1.73 m 2 ). Stage 3 can be further divided into 3A (45-59 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ) and 3B (30-44 mL/ /min/1.73 m 2 ). Stage 5, the most advanced and dangerous one, is also described as "end-stage renal failure" (ESRF), and constitutes an indica-REVIEWS