Oral manifestations and analysis of salivary and blood urea levels of patients under going haemo dialysis and kidney transplant.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To evaluate oral manifestations in patients with renal diseases and to correlate blood and salivary urea levels in patients undergoing haemodialysis and kidney transplant.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study group subjects were selected from patients undergoing hemodialysis and patients who had underwent kidney transplant. Adequate history was recorded. All the groups were examined extra orally and intra orally and findings were recorded. SAMPLE COLLECTION: Venous blood was collected from the antecubital fossa in control group. In patients with renal disease undergoing dialysis, blood was collectedjust prior to the dialysis. Renal transplant patients' blood samples were collected during review visit. Unstimulated saliva was collected and submitted to the laboratory immediately for urea examination by an automated analyzer.

RESULTS: Extra oral manifestations like swollen face, pale skin, pedal edema, and bruises on the skin, nausea and vomiting in nearly 50% of the patiens, and oral manifestations like uraemic odour, dry mouth, and altered taste sensation were noted. There was a correlation between blood urea and salivary urea concentration in patients under going hemodialysis and kidney transplant.

CONCLUSION: Saliva can be used as a non-invasive diagnostic tool.