The clinical response and systemic effects of non-surgical periodontal therapy in end-stage renal disease patients: a 6-month randomized controlled clinical trial.

AIMS: Scientific evidence on the effects of chronic periodontitis on end-stage renal disease (ESRD) remains inadequate and inconclusive. This intervention study was designed to evaluate the effects of non-surgical periodontal therapy on the clinical response and systemic status of ESRD patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients in the intervention group (n = 48) received non-surgical periodontal therapy and then a supragingival prophylaxis at the 3-month follow up, and those in the control group (n = 49) received no intervention throughout the study. At 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after therapy, clinical periodontal examinations were conducted and blood samples were taken to evaluate inflammatory, nutritional and lipid profiles.

RESULTS: The results showed a significant improvement in clinical periodontal parameters (p < 0.05) in the intervention group. Compared to the control group, the intervention group had significantly lower high-sensitivity C-reactive protein at 3 months and 6 months. Significant improvements were found (p < 0.05) in interleukin-6, ferritin, albumin, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and transferrin after therapy.

CONCLUSIONS: Non-surgical periodontal therapy can effectively improve periodontal, circulating inflammatory and nutritional status in ESRD patients. Non-surgical periodontal therapy, as a relatively simple intervention, has beneficial systemic effects in ESRD patients.