Research on the Current Status and Influencing Factors of Oral Frailty in Maintenance Hemodialysis Patients: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study

Background: With the continuous expansion of the maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patient population, their unique fluid management requirements and dialysis-related complications contribute to increasingly severe oral health issues. To explore the prevalence and influencing factors of oral frailty (OF) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted using convenience sampling. MHD patients from four tertiary hospitals in Sichuan Province were enrolled between April and July 2024. The Oral Frailty Index-8 (OFI-8), Malnutrition-Inflammation Score (MIS), and Food Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were used for assessment. Results: A total of 433 MHD patients were included, with an OF prevalence of 33.9%. Multivariate analysis revealed that advanced age, dry mouth, hypoalbuminemia, comorbid coronary heart disease, comorbid diabetes, ≥3 chronic diseases, decreased appetite, and malnutrition were risk factors for OF in MHD patients ( P < 0.05). In contrast, serum iron levels, regular exercise, and a higher number of remaining teeth were protective factors ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of OF in MHD patients is relatively high. Healthcare providers should conduct early assessments and interventions to delay and reduce the occurrence of OF.