Periodontal Status, Inflammation, and Malnutrition in Hemodialysis Patients - Is There a Link?

Impaired periodontal health is highly prevalent in HD patients. PDD is more frequent in elderly diabetic smokers and in those with longer HD vintage; smoking and HD duration seems to be the most important determinants. The prevalence is higher in malnourished and in inflamed patients; inflammation seems to accompany PDD and to influence anemia response to treatment.