Gingival Status of Kidney Transplanted Patients Referred to Shariati General Hospital, Tehran

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to investigate the level of gingival over-growth (GO) in patients with kidney transplant.

Materials and Methods: The target group of the study was the patients recently received kidney transplant and cyclosporine-A therapy. By a systematic case selection method, a total of 131 cases were included in the study, of whom 80 (61.6%) patients were male. The data was collected through interview with the patients as well as clinical assessment of their dental and periodontal indices. Gingival enlargement was recorded in terms of a 4-point scale from absence of enlargement to sever enlargement. Gilmore and Glickman plaque index was also recorded. Chi-square test served for statistical analysis.

Results: The mean dose of the drug received was 203 mg (SD=75), with 191 mg (SD=71)in females and 209 mg (SD=77) in male individuals. GO was found in one-third of the pa-tients receiving CSA. Incidence of GO was found to be roughly equal in upper and lower jaw with no significant difference (P>0.05). Gingival enlargement was also found to be more prominent at the anterior region. Difference between two age groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). No Statistically significant difference was found between groups tak-ing different doses of the drug.

Conclusion: Gingival overgrowth among the patients receiving kidney transplant and CSA therapy seems to vary according to such factors as age and gender, but not the dose of the drug taken.