Oral health‐related quality of life in patients on chronic haemodialysis and after kidney transplantation

Objectives The objective of the study was to evaluate oral health‐related quality of life ( OHRQ oL) depending on dental and periodontal situation in patients on haemodialysis ( HD ) and after kidney transplantation ( KT x) compared to healthy controls ( HC ). Subjects and Methods OHRQ oL was assessed using the German short form of Oral Health Impact Profile ( OHIP G14). Dental health was estimated using the decayed, missing and filled teeth index ( DMF ‐T). Periodontal health was classified as healthy/mild or moderate/severe periodontitis. Statistical analysis: Mann–Whitney U ‐test, Kruskal–Wallis test, chi‐square test and Fisher's test. Results Eighty‐seven HD patients, 39 KT x patients and 91 HC were included. Significant differences in DMF ‐T, D‐T, M‐T and F‐T scores were identified between groups ( P  < 0.001). The prevalence of moderate/severe periodontitis was significantly higher in the HD and KT x group compared to HC ( P  = 0.002). Differences in OHIP G14 between groups were neither clinical relevant nor statistically significant ( P  = 0.199). A significant effect of DMF ‐T ( P  = 0.012), M‐T ( P  < 0.001) and periodontitis ( P  = 0.023) on the OHIP G14 scores was identified only in HC . Conclusions Improvement in dental care of HD and KT x patients is required. OHIP G14 values provide a subjectively considered low importance of oral health in HD and KT x patients, leading to need of motivation and sensitisation of these patients.