Ocorrência e fatores associados às calcificações em artéria carótida detectadas por radiografia panorâmica digital em pacientes renais crônicos em hemodiálise

Abstract

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) leads to a progressive and irreversible kidney failure. The final and most severe stage of the disease often requires support therapy by hemodialysis. CKD patients have a higher risk of developing cardiovascular complications, such as atherosclerosis. This condition is characterized for the fatty plaques accumulation in inner layer of blood vessels, which when calcified can be observed on panoramic radiographs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the detectable carotid artery calcifications (CAC) occurrence in digital panoramic radiography in CKD patients undergoing hemodialysis. The clinical data were obtained from Nephrology department records of the Onofre Lopes Hospital of Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte, RN (UFRN) and the panoramic radiographs were collected from imaging service database at the Dentistry Department of UFRN. The exams analyzes were done by a single radiologist, previously calibrated. Of the 309 patients in the study, 15.9% had calcifications. To verify the associations between the presence of CAC, and the independent variables of the study, Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used. A statistically significant association (p≤0.05) was observed between the presence of these calcifications and age, sex, hemodialysis time, diabetes mellitus and presence of styloid process elongation. The results revealed a high occurrence of CAC in patients with CKD on hemodialysis when compared to the general population.