Daijiworld Media Network – Hamburg
Hamburg, Jul 2: Severe gum disease, or periodontitis, may be linked to reduced kidney function and early signs of chronic kidney disease (CKD), according to a large population-based study conducted by researchers in Germany.
The study, led by researchers at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, found that people with severe periodontitis were more likely to have reduced kidney function and elevated levels of albumin in the urine, a key marker of kidney damage, even in the early stages of CKD.
The findings, published in the International Journal of Oral Science on Apr 6, 2026, suggest that oral health could play a significant role in overall health and may serve as an early indicator of kidney disease.
The researchers analysed data from 6,179 participants enrolled in the Hamburg City Health Study. All participants underwent detailed dental examinations, with gum disease classified according to the 2017 American Academy of Periodontology/European Federation of Periodontology staging system.
Kidney function was assessed using estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR). Blood samples were also analysed for inflammatory markers, including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).
The study found that the prevalence of severe periodontitis increased from 14 per cent among participants with normal kidney function to 36 per cent among those with moderately reduced kidney function. Greater tooth loss and more severe damage to the tissues supporting the teeth were also associated with worsening kidney health.
The association remained significant even after adjusting for factors such as age, sex, diabetes and smoking, indicating that the link was independent of these common risk factors.
Researchers found that systemic inflammation explained part of the relationship. Higher levels of hsCRP and IL-6 were associated with both severe gum disease and poorer kidney function. However, inflammation accounted for only part of the observed association, suggesting that other biological mechanisms, including bacterial spread from infected gums, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress and metabolic changes, may also contribute.
Lead researcher Dr Christian Schmidt-Lauber said the study aimed to examine the relationship between periodontitis and early markers of kidney dysfunction while exploring the role of systemic inflammation.
Senior author Prof Dr Ghazal Aarabi said the findings highlight oral health as a potential window into kidney health and could help guide future screening strategies and research into whether treating gum disease can slow the progression of kidney disease.
The researchers concluded that severe periodontitis is independently associated with reduced kidney function and increased albuminuria even in the early stages of CKD, reinforcing the growing evidence that oral health and overall systemic health are closely connected.