The periodontal health component of the Renal Impairment In Secondary Care (RIISC) cohort study: a description of the rationale, methodology and initial baseline results

Chronic kidney disease ( CKD ) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. There is a need to identify novel and modifiable risk factors in such patients. The periodontal component of the Renal Impairment In Secondary Care ( RIISC ) study aims to evaluate the association between chronic periodontitis and CKD progression. Methods The RIISC study is a prospective, observational cohort study of patients with CKD from a renal clinic at a hospital in the West Midlands region of the UK . Patients undergo a periodontal examination and plaque and saliva sampling. To benchmark the oral health status of the RIISC cohort, we compared it to the A dult D ental H ealth S urvey 2009 ( ADHS ), a representative survey of the oral health of community dwelling adults in the UK . Results Of the first 500 patients recruited into the RIISC study, 469 patients underwent a dental examination and 80 (17%) were edentulous. Among dentate subjects, patients within RIISC were significantly more likely to have any ( OR 4.0 95% CI 2.7–5.9) or severe ( OR 3.8 95% CI 2.5–5.6) periodontitis compared to the ADHS sample. Conclusion The prevalence and severity of chronic periodontitis in this cohort of CKD patients is markedly higher than a geographically matched control population.