Uremic stomatitis in three patients and review of the literature

Abstract

Uremic stomatitis is a rare disease that affects the oral mucosa, caused by acute or chronic advanced kidney failure. Of poorly known etiopathogenesis, the condition has been associated with high levels of salivary ammonia. Four clinical manifestations have been described: ulcerative, non-ulcerous pseudo membranous, hyperkeratotic, and hemorrhagic uremic stomatitis. Since uremic stomatitis has been associated with sharp rise in urea levels in blood, it may be used as a clinical indicator of advanced kidney failure. Though rare, uremic stomatitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of various oral mucosa lesions in patients with a record of chronic kidney failure. This report described three uremic stomatitis cases in elderly patients with chronic kidney failure.