Objective: To compare oral health status between renal transplant recipients (RTRs) receiving tacrolimus (Tac) or everolimus (ERL) as immunosuppressive therapy.
Design: This study is a cross-sectional study.
Methods: Thirty-six RTRs receiving Tac and 22 RTRs receiving ERL were included in the study. Age, gender, time since transplant and pharmacological data were recorded for both groups. Oral health status was assessed through the evaluation of teeth, periodontal parameters as well as saliva flow rate and pH.
Results: RTRs receiving ERL were older than those receiving Tac. No differences were found between groups concerning oral hygiene habits, oral symptoms, smoking habits, unstimulated and stimulated saliva flow rate and pH, clinical attachment level or the number of decayed, missing and filled teeth. However, RTRs receiving ERL presented lower visible plaque index and lower values for bleeding on probing when compared to RTRs receiving Tac. In addition, RTRs receiving ERL presented a gingival index varying from normal to moderate inflammation whereas RTRs receiving Tac presented a gingival index varying from mild to severe inflammation.
Conclusions: RTRs receiving ERL have lower periodontal inflammation when compared to RTRs receiving Tac.
Keywords: calcineurin inhibitors; everolimus; mTOR inhibitors; oral health; periodontal disease; renal transplant recipients; tacrolimus.
© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.