Introduction

Kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) is a type 1 membrane protein found in kidney, liver, and spleen, with roles in immune disorders and kidney injury.

Objectives

This study examined the association between serum and salivary KIM-1 levels with periodontal health in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients.

Material and methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 140 (aged 20-60 years) CKD eligible patients on and not hemodialysis. Periodontal examinations included plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing pocket depth, and clinical attachment level. Serum and saliva samples were collected and analyzed for KIM-1 levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis included t-test and multiple linear regression analysis. Level of significance was set at p < 0.05.

r

The study showed significantly increased levels of KIM-1 in serum compared to saliva in both groups. Serum KIM-1 levels were 2.240 ± 0.484 ng/ml in non-hemodialysis group and 2.431 ± 1.032 ng/ml in hemodialysis group, while salivary KIM-1 levels were 1.745 ± 0.513 ng/ml and 1.405 ± 0.525 ng/ml, respectively (p < 0.001). Multiple linear regression revealed a significant association between salivary KIM-1 levels and CKD in patients on hemodialysis (β = –0.324, p = 0.0008) as well as with clinical attachment loss (CAL) (β = 0.099, p = 0.0298). Regarding periodontal health status, the majority of patients had periodontitis in non-hemodialysis (45%) and in hemodialysis (40.7%) group, while the prevalence of gingivitis was 6.4% in non-hemodialysis, and 7.8% in hemodialysis group.

Conclusions

Salivary KIM-1 may serve as potential biomarker of periodontal health in CKD patients on hemo­dialysis, given its significant association with CAL and disease prevalence.