Survey of Torus Palatinus in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease Undergoing Hemodialysis

INTRODUCTION: This study attempted to survey the oral findings of hemodialysis patients and analyze the prevalence and predictors for torus palatinus (TP) in this patient population. METHODS: A total of 322 hemodialysis patients were recruited. Patients were organized into two groups, based on the presence (n=93) or absence (n=229) of TP. Demographic, laboratory, and dialysis-related data were obtained for analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of TP was 28.9% in this study. Patients with TP were younger in age [57.8±10.0 (37.4-86.9) versus 62.4±12.3 (25.0-87.8) years old; P=0.001] and predominantly female (60.2% versus 38.0%; P<0.001), compared to patients without TP. All TPs (100.0%) were symmetrical and located along the midpalatal suture. Most TPs were flat-shaped (55.9%) and near premolars (78.5%). The blood tests revealed higher blood concentrations of phosphate (5.4±1.1 versus 4.9±1.1 mg/dL; P=0.001) and lower blood concentrations of bicarbonate (20.9±2.4 versus 22.0±2.3 mmol/L; P<0.001) in patients with TP. Multivariate regression modeling showed that younger age [odds ratio (OR) 0.968; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.939–0.982; P<0.001], female gender (OR 2.305; 95% CI 1.374–3.867; P=0.002), higher blood concentration of phosphate (OR 1.411; 95% CI 1.110–1.794; P=0.005), and lower blood concentration of bicarbonate (OR 0.868; 95% CI 0.791–0.994; P=0.040) were significant predictors for TP. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of TP is 28.9%, and the majority of patients suffering TP are female. Younger age, female gender, elevated blood concentration of phosphate, and lower blood concentration of bicarbonate are predictors for TP.