Newswise — Philadelphia, PA (November 14, 2014) — In a study of blacks with normal kidney function, those with severe periodontal disease developed chronic kidney disease (CKD) at 4 times the rate of those without severe periodontal disease. The study that will be presented at ASN Kidney Week 2014 November 11¬–16 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.

Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection of the oral cavity, and it disproportionately affects African Americans. It’s also been implicated as a potential risk factor for CKD. To investigate this potential link, researchers led by Vanessa Grubbs, MD (University of California, San Francisco) analyzed 699 African American adults who underwent complete dental examinations.

During an average follow-up of 4.8 years, there were 21 (3.0%) new CKD cases. Participants with severe periodontal disease had a 4.2-fold greater incidence of CKD after adjusting for various factors (age, sex, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and income) compared with those without severe periodontal disease.

“Because periodontal disease is common and can be prevented and treated, targeting it may be an important path towards reducing existing racial and ethnic disparities in chronic and end-stage kidney disease,” said Dr. Grubbs.

Study: “The Association Between Periodontal Disease and Kidney Function Decline in African Americans: the Jackson Heart Study” (Abstract FR-OR916)

Disclosure information is available athttp://www.asn-online.org/education/kidneyweek/2014/program-faculty.aspx.

ASN Kidney Week 2014, the largest nephrology meeting of its kind, will provide a forum for more than 13,000 professionals to discuss the latest findings in renal research and engage in educational sessions related to advances in the care of patients with kidney and related disorders. Kidney Week 2014 will take place November 11–16, 2014 in Philadelphia, PA.

The content of this article does not reflect the views or opinions of The American Society of Nephrology (ASN). Responsibility for the information and views expressed therein lies entirely with the author(s). ASN does not offer medical advice. All content in ASN publications is for informational purposes only, and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. This content should not be used during a medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Please consult your doctor or other qualified health care provider if you have any questions about a medical condition, or before taking any drug, changing your diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. Do not ignore or delay obtaining professional medical advice because of information accessed through ASN. Call 911 or your doctor for all medical emergencies.

Founded in 1966, and with more than 15,000 members, the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) leads the fight against kidney disease by educating health professionals, sharing new knowledge, advancing research, and advocating the highest quality care for patients.

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ASN Kidney Week 2014