Background and Objective: Recently, periodontal disease is considered as a risk factor for chronic renal disease in addition to well- established common risk factors such as level of education, and extent of access to medical health services. Since oral health problems can jeopardize the general health of patients with renal failure, this study was conducted with the purpose of evaluating the effect of dialysis duration on periodontal and dental indices. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 65 patients under hemodialysis were examined in terms of periodontal and dental indices including: gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), pocket depth (PD), and decayed, missing and filled teeth index (DMFT). Patients were classified into two subgroups: receiving hemodialysis ≤ 3 years or more than 3 years. Chi-square test (in case of qualitative variables) and t-test (in case of quantitative variables) were used to analyze the data between the two groups. Results: All of periodontal indices were deteriorated in patients under long-term hemodialysis, and the difference between the two groups was significant (p<0.05). However, DMFT index did not show any significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Periodontal health is poor and imperfect in patients with hemodialysis of long duration. Therefore, dental preventive measures along with medical treatment are recommended.

Background and Objective: It seems that using a combination of aerobic and anaerobic exercises (resistance exercises) can induce beneficial physical, psychological, and social effects on hemodialysis patients who are encountered with various stressors. This study aimed to determine the effect of combined aerobic and anaerobic exercises on quality of life in hemodialysis patients. Materials and Methods: In this study we used a pre and post semi-experimental design with two comparison groups. The subjects consisted of 74 patients from two hemodialysis centers affiliated to Zanjan University of Medical Sciences. All subjects were randomly allocated into two groups. Kidney Disease Quality of Life-Short Form (KDQOL-SF) was used to assess quality of life in patients with kidney disease. Results: The results showed that the mean and standard deviation of quality of life before the intervention in the combined exercises group was 47.7 ± 15.56 and in the aerobic exercise group was 41.1 ± 11.51. But after the intervention, the mean and standard deviation of quality of life in the combined exercises group increased to 77.1±28.06 and in the aerobic exercise group increased to 56.4 ± 12.78 indicating significant differences between the two groups (P<0.0001). Both aerobic and combined exercises increased quality of life in hemodialysis patients. Though, the effect of the combined exercises during the hemodialysis was outstanding in enhancing quality of life in hemodialysis patients in comparison to aerobic exercises alone. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the aerobic exercises, especially combined exercises in hemodialysis patients may lead to an increase in their quality of life.

Background and Objective: Increased homocysteine levels resulting from renal failure and physical inactivity in hemodialysis patients can put them at risk for cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, exercise training may have a favorable effect on homocysteine levels and physical performance in these patients. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of intermittent intradialytic aerobic exercise training on plasma homocysteine levels and physical performance in hemodialysis patients.

Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, sixteen hemodialysis patients (with a mean age of 54.75 years) were randomly divided into two equal groups: experimental and control. The experimental group performed intermittent intradialytic aerobic exercise training for 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, which corresponded to 40 to 45 percent of their maximum heart rate reserve at the first week and reached to 65 to 70 percent during the final week. Homocysteine levels and physical performance were measured before and after the 8 weeks of aerobic exercise training.

Results: Plasma homocysteine levels (P=0.029) and physical performance parameters including: Gait speed (P=0.001), Chair-rising time for 5 times (P=0.001) and Stair-climbing time (P=0.002) significantly improved in the experimental group after eight weeks of intermittent intradialytic aerobic exercise training.

Conclusion: Intermittent intradialytic aerobic exercise training may have a favorable effect on the cardiovascular condition of hemodialysis patients through reducing homocysteine levels and can improve physical performance in these patients.