The effect of drug treatment on the oral cavity in patients after kidney transplantation

Organ transplantation is currently one of the most effective methods of treating end-stage chronic diseases, significantly increasing the duration and quality of life of patients. In particular, kidney transplantation is recognized as the "gold standard" for the treatment of end-stage chronic kidney disease. However, the success of transplantation is largely due to the need for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy aimed at preventing transplant rejection, which, in turn, is accompanied by the development of a number of systemic and local complications.

A special place among them is occupied by lesions of the organs and tissues of the oral cavity. These changes are due to both the direct effect of immunosuppressive drugs on the tissues and microbiome of the oral cavity, and a decrease in the body's immune defenses, contributing to the development of infectious processes. The most common are viral, bacterial, and fungal infections, including lesions caused by the herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus, and fungi of the genus Candida.

Pharmacoinduced complications include gum hyperplasia, stomatitis, mucositis, and xerostomia. Hypertrophic gingivitis associated with the use of cyclosporine and other immunosuppressants is particularly significant, which can significantly impair the patient's quality of life and complicate hygiene measures. Decreased salivation also promotes the growth of pathogenic microflora and increases the risk of inflammatory diseases.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the current literature data on pharmacoinduced lesions of the oral cavity in patients after kidney transplantation. The review demonstrated a high prevalence of dental complications and their dependence on the immunosuppression regimen, duration of therapy, and individual patient characteristics.

The findings emphasize the need for early diagnosis, regular dental monitoring, and an interdisciplinary approach to managing this category of patients. The development of unified protocols for the prevention and treatment of oral lesions in kidney transplant recipients is an important area for further research and clinical practice.