Sociodemographic, health, and oral factors associated with health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate oral health parameters and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and compare them with non-CKD peers. Additionally, the impact of various sociodemographic, health-related, and oral health parameters on HRQoL was examined within the CKD group.

METHODS

In this cross-sectional observational study, 82 children with CKD were compared to 85 non-CKD controls within the same age range. Participants were evaluated through a comprehensive clinical assessment that included sociodemographic and health-related characteristics, oral hygiene habits, and oral health parameters including dental caries, oral hygiene status, gingival health, and developmental enamel defects. Both child self-report and parent proxy-report versions of the KINDL questionnaire were used to assess HRQoL. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate group differences and associations between variables.

RESULTS

Children with CKD had significantly lower HRQoL scores across all domains (p < 0.05). They also exhibited higher rates of enamel defects, gingival inflammation, and poorer oral hygiene. Although DMFT/dft scores were lower in the CKD group, ICDAS II showed a higher prevalence of early carious lesions. Multiple regression analysis revealed that HRQoL was significantly associated with CKD status, number of siblings, oral hygiene, and gingival health (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral health is strongly associated with HRQoL in children with CKD. Public health strategies should prioritize regular HRQoL monitoring and early preventive dental care to improve overall well-being in this vulnerable population.