Tooth loss strongly associates with malnutrition in chronic kidney disease.
BACKGROUND
In chronic kidney disease (CKD), inadequate nutritional intake, inflammation, and increased oxidative stress have been the major contributing factors in malnutrition pathogenesis. However, there is still a paucity of evidence assessing the magnitude of the effect of tooth loss on malnutrition in CKD populations. The authors hypothesize that among patients with CKD, tooth loss may affect nutritional status, using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1988 to 1994 (NHANES III).


METHODS
Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was estimated based on cystatin C levels using the relevant equation. Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (albuminuria) was calculated in milligrams per gram with a cutoff point of 30 mg/g. CKD was defined based on estimated GFR <60 mL/minute/1.73m(2) and albuminuria ≥30 mg/g. The cutoff point for serum albumin was set at 3.7 g/dL. Tooth loss categories were based on the number of missing and replaced teeth.


RESULTS
A total of 2,749 patients was included and stratified based on their oral health status. There was a statistically significant correlation between tooth loss and the proportion of patients with low protein and caloric intake (P = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). Serum albumin reached a frequency peak in the fully edentulous group without dentures (group 4, 19.2%). In the same group, individuals had lower protein (30.1%) and caloric intake (30.2%) (P = 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). Furthermore, logistic regression analysis confirmed the significant role of tooth loss on serum albumin and protein and energy intake in this population even after adjusting for confounding variables.


CONCLUSIONS
Tooth loss independently predicts low energy and protein intake, as well as serum albumin levels, biomarkers of malnutrition in CKD.
Division of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT.
E
E
Ioannidou
H
H
Swede
G
G
Fares
J
J
Himmelfarb
D000419:Albuminuria / Q000652:urine; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D055316:Cystatin C / Q000652:urine; D003824:Denture, Complete / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003829:Denture, Partial / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D004032:Diet; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009066:Mouth, Edentulous / Q000453:epidemiology; D009749:Nutrition Surveys; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000453:epidemiology; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D016388:Tooth Loss / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D015415:Biomarkers; C525030:CST3 protein, human; D055316:Cystatin C; D012709:Serum Albumin; D003404:Creatinine
Malnutrition; nutrition surveys; renal insufficiency, chronic; tooth loss