Oral health promotion in patients with chronic renal failure admitted in the Intensive Care Unit

Oral health challenges in patients with chronic kidney disease: A comprehensive clinical assessment

Loss of kidney function causes oral manifestations and multiple complications that have implications for dental treatment and patients' systemic conditions. We aimed to determine the clinical condition, epidemiological profile, and incidence of dental caries in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This was an observational, cross-sectional, field study using a quantitative and epidemiological approach. The sample consisted of 45 randomly selected patients with CKD from a total of 114 patients. Data were collected through oral clinical examination, anamnesis, and medical records compiled in a clinical file specially developed for this research. Clinical evaluation was performed, including a Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index examination. Data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann-Whitney test, and Spearman's rho coefficient. All analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics software version 20.0, with a confidence interval of 95 % and significance level of 5 % (p < 0.05). The results indicated that CKD is more prevalent in the 5th decade of life, with a slight predilection for men. Oral cavity alterations were observed in 77.8 % of patients. The study population had a very high DMFT index, with a high number of missing teeth and a low number of decayed and filled teeth. Poor oral health in patients with CKD indicates a lack of care that supports the necessity of installing a preventive and therapeutic oral program and a regular follow-up aimed at this group of patients.

Factors associated with oral biofilm in ICU patients with infectious diseases

Abstract Introduction Hospitalization may cause a decline in oral health and affect the entire body. The intensive care unit (ICU) may be a favorable environment for oral biofilm to accumulate in critically ill patients. Objective To identify factors associated with oral biofilm in ICU patients in a hospital for infectious diseases. Method This was a retrospective, descriptive and inferential study with a quantitative approach. Data were collected from 178 medical records of patients from January 2012 to July 2015. Biofilm presence was assessed according to the Greene and Vermillion index. Potential influential factors were analyzed by logistic regression. Result Among ICU patients, 69.1% were men, 60.7% had acquired immune deficiency (AIDS), 66.3% were ward patients, 50.6% were intubated, and 50.0% were sedated. The oral elements of the patients were mostly normal. The following characteristics were significantly associated with oral biofilm: changes in the lips, gums, cheeks, and palates and bleeding. Patients from the ward had a lower risk of biofilm. Conclusion Increased oral biofilm accumulation was observed in patients with oral changes, and patient origin was associated with the presence of biofilm.