Periodontal disease and pneumonia mortality in hemodialysis patients: A 7-year cohort study.

AimTo evaluate the association between periodontal disease and pneumonia mortality in haemodialysis patients. Materials and MethodsThis prospective cohort study included 211 patients (mean age, 64.4years) undergoing haemodialysis at a single medical centre. The patients underwent a baseline clinical dental examination in 2008 and were then followed up until July 2015. Periodontal disease was defined as the presence of clinical attachment loss of 4mm in 30% of the probed sites. The primary endpoint, that is death from pneumonia, was determined by reviewing death certificates and was analysed using the competing-risks regression model. ResultsAt baseline, 92 patients (43.6%) had periodontal disease. The median follow-up period was 84months (interquartile range, 36-86months). Of the 68 deaths that occurred, 21 were from pneumonia. The multivariable competing-risks regression model showed that periodontal disease was significantly associated with death from pneumonia (adjusted subhazard ratio, 3.49; 95% confidence interval, 1.14-10.64), after adjusting for other baseline health characteristics. ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest that periodontal disease is independently associated with pneumonia mortality in haemodialysis patients. Future studies evaluating the potential effect of oral interventions for periodontal health improvement on pneumonia in haemodialysis patients would be of great interest.