Analysis of Salivary Flow, pH, Buffer Capacity, and Creatinine in Individuals Undergoing Hemodialysis

Objective :  To quantify salivary creatinine levels patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) before, during, and after hemodialysis sessions. Material and Methods: Sixty-eight individuals, aged between 4 and 25 years, were selected, and among these, 34 were diagnosed with ESRD and were undergoing hemodialysis (Group 1) and 34 were clinically healthy patients (Group 2). Saliva samples were collected before, during, and after hemodialysis sessions for Group 1 and compared with those of Group 2. Stimulated saliva flow rate (SSFR), buffer capacity (BC), pH, and salivary creatinine levels were determined. Shapiro-Wilk test, followed by the Friedman, Mann-Whitney and ANOVA tests were used to analyze the variables. Results: Mean SSFR values of Group 1 at the three stages of hemodialysis sessions did not differ from those of Group 2. Furthermore, BC and pH values were within their normal limits, and no difference was detected between the two groups. Mean salivary creatinine levels at baseline and during hemodialysis were significantly higher in Group 1 that in Group 2, but these values were not different between Groups at the end of hemodialysis. Conclusion: Salivary creatinine levels reduce significantly after hemodialysis sessions suggesting that saliva may be used to monitor the efficiency of hemodialysis or even indicate the moment at which it should start.