Association between periodontitis and mortality in stages 3–5 chronic kidney disease: NHANES III and linked mortality study

INTRODUCTION: Periodontitis may add to the systemic inflammatory burden in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD), thereby contributing to an increased mortality rate. This study aimed to determine the association between periodontitis and mortality rate (all‐cause and cardiovascular disease‐related) in individuals with stage 3–5 CKD, hitherto referred to as “CKD”. METHODS: Survival analysis was carried out using the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) and linked mortality data. Cox proportional hazards regression was employed to assess the association between periodontitis and mortality, in individuals with CKD. This association was compared with the association between mortality and traditional risk factors in CKD mortality (diabetes, hypertension and smoking). RESULTS: Of the 13,784 participants eligible for analysis in NHANES III, 861 (6%) had CKD. The median follow‐up for this cohort was 14.3 years. Adjusting for confounders, the 10‐year all‐cause mortality rate for individuals with CKD increased from 32% (95% CI: 29–35%) to 41% (36–47%) with the addition of periodontitis. For diabetes, the 10‐year all‐cause mortality rate increased to 43% (38–49%). CONCLUSION: There is a strong, association between periodontitis and increased mortality in individuals with CKD. Sources of chronic systemic inflammation (including periodontitis) may be important contributors to mortality in patients with CKD.