title: Oral manifestation and salivary changes in renal patients undergoing hemodialysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Salivary changes in hemodialysis patients may result in various oral manifestations. This research intended to determine oral manifestations and some salivary markers in hemodialysis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 hemodialysis patients (the patient group) and 30 healthy individuals (the control group). Saliva urea and calcium levels and pH values of the participants were measured, and oral manifestations such as pale mucosa, xerostomia, halitosis, changes in the sense of taste, increased calculus formation, gingival bleeding, etc. were recorded in the information collection form. The data was analyzed using T-test and chi-square, andp<0.05 was considered to be significant.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean salivary urea level and pH value in the patient group were significantly higher compared to those of the control group (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to salivary calcium. Halitosis, xerostomia, and increased calculus were the most prevalent manifestations, and gum bleeding was the least prevalent among the patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Advanced chronic renal insufficiency can increase salivary urea level, pH value, halitosis, xerostomia, and calculus formation, and may cause pale mucosa.Key words:Renal dialysis, biomarkers, oral manifestation, saliva.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Dental Disease Research Center, Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Marieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Honarmand
authors.affiliation: Oral and Dental Disease Research Center, Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Farhad-Mollashahi
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nakhaee
authors.affiliation: Dentist, Dental School, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.
authors.forename: Fahimeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sargolzaie