Adult and pediatric peritonitis rates in a home dialysis program: comparison of continuous ambulatory and continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis

We reviewed our 115-month experience with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) in adult and pediatric patients to determine whether there is a difference in the incidence of peritonitis between patients performing CAPD or CCPD. Peritonitis rates were similar in patients performing CAPD or CCPD in both the adult and pediatric age groups. The overall CAPD peritonitis rate was significantly lower in adult patients when compared with pediatric patients. There was no difference in peritonitis rates for CCPD between adult and pediatric patients. When the data are divided into 3-year subgroups, the incidence of peritonitis is significantly lower in adult patients undergoing either CAPD or CCPD when compared with pediatric patients during the years 1986 to 1988. There is significant improvement over time in the incidence of peritonitis in both adult and pediatric patients performing CCPD; similarly, there is a trend toward improvement in patients performing CAPD. Staphylococcus species organisms remain the most common bacterial cause of peritonitis, except in pediatric patients under the age of 2 years or with nephrostomies, where gram-negative rod infections were more common. Peritonitis resulted in discontinuation of peritoneal dialysis in a greater number of adult patients. These results suggest that the number of catheter manipulations is not important in determining the incidence of peritonitis. Pediatric patients are more likely than adult patients to develop peritonitis with either CAPD or CCPD. Adult patients are more likely than pediatric patients to discontinue peritoneal dialysis secondary to peritonitis.     

A five-year study of the microbiologic results of exit site infections and peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

We studied the culture results from 321 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) related infections (exit site, tunnel infections, and peritonitis) in 137 patients over a 5-year period to determine the contribution of exit site and tunnel infections to peritonitis and catheter loss. Seventeen percent of peritonitis episodes were associated temporally and by microbiologic results with exit site or tunnel infections. Twenty-one percent of exit site and tunnel infections and 20% of peritonitis episodes resulted in catheter loss. Peritonitis due to Staphylococcus aureus was more likely to be associated with an exit site or tunnel infection and was more likely to result in loss of the catheter than peritonitis due to Staphylococcus epidermidis. Peritonitis and exit site infections due to Pseudomonas sp also frequently resulted in catheter removal. We found that exit site infections cause significant morbidity in CAPD patients. Further studies in this area are needed.     

Successful prophylaxis for fungal peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: six years' experience

Fungal peritonitis as a serious complication of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is often associated with severe morbidity, CAPD "drop-out" and, occasionally, death. Most episodes of fungal peritonitis occur during or after a period of antibiotic treatment of various bacterial infections, usually bacterial peritonitis. From April 1979 to December 1982 (period I), 10 episodes of fungal peritonitis occurred during 415 patient-months, ie, 10.5% of all peritonitis episodes recorded in our CAPD program. After the introduction of oral prophylaxis with 3 x 500,000 IU [corrected] nystatin during every course of antibiotic treatment, only four episodes of fungal peritonitis occurred during 2,102 patient-months, ie, 3.1% of all peritonitis episodes from January 1983 to March 1989 (period II). This difference between the first and second periods is significant (P less than 0.05). Moreover, none of the four patients who contracted fungal peritonitis in the second period received nystatin prophylaxis. Thus, the simple measure of oral prophylaxis using this nonabsorbable antifungal agent in every case of an antibiotic treatment largely eliminates the risk of fungal peritonitis in patients on CAPD.     

Catheter infections as a factor in the transfer of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients to hemodialysis

The effect of peritoneal catheter infections on the transfer of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients to hemodialysis over a 9-year period were examined. Twenty-seven percent (68/247) of all patients were transferred permanently to hemodialysis after a mean of 15 +/- 14 months of CAPD. An additional 29% transferred temporarily one or more times during the study period (mean time of peritoneal dialysis, 35 +/- 23 months). The reasons for permanent transfer to hemodialysis were catheter infections (15/68, 22%), peritonitis (13/68, 19%), catheter infections associated with peritonitis (10/68, 15%), patient preference (9/68, 13%), mechanical problems (4/68, 6%), noncompliance (7/68, 10%), inadequate clearance or ultrafiltration (6/68, 9%), with other reasons for the remainder (4/68, 6%). Temporary transfers to hemodialysis were also mainly due to catheter infections (32%), peritonitis (23%), and simultaneous catheter infections and peritonitis (24%). Catheter infection rates were much higher in the groups that permanently and temporarily were transferred to hemodialysis in comparison with those patients who remained on peritoneal dialysis. We conclude that catheter infections are a leading cause of both temporary and permanent transfer of CAPD patients to hemodialysis.     

An analysis of ten-year trends in infections in adults on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD)

Infectious complications are the Achilles heel of CAPD. To determine trends in these events, we analyzed the CAPD related infections of 303 adults on CAPD at a single university center between 1979 and 1989. During this decade the percentage of insulin-dependent diabetics increased from 14% to 39% (p less than 0.005). Peritonitis rates fell from 2.4 episodes/y in 1979 to 0.8 episodes/y in 1989. The proportion of patients with multiple episodes of peritonitis decreased (40% of the patients in 1979-1982 vs 15% in 1983-1989, p = 0.0001) while the proportion of patients with no episodes of peritonitis increased during the same periods (29% vs 49%, p = 0.005). The proportion of peritonitis episodes due to S. aureus rose over the 10-year period (p = 0.005), while those due to S. epidermidis decreased (p less than 0.10). The overall incidence of S. aureus peritonitis remained unchanged. Catheter infection rates initially increased and then fell during the decade; S. aureus remained the predominant cause. The proportion of peritonitis episodes associated with catheter infection rose (13% in 1982 vs 24% in 1989, p = 0.025), and in 1989, 80% of these episodes were caused by S. aureus. Catheter loss was also primarily due to S. aureus infections in 1989 (80%). Infections due to P. aeruginosa were a persistent problem. The proportion of patients transferring to hemodialysis each year paralleled catheter loss rates, which in turn appeared to be more related to catheter infection rates than to peritonitis rates. We conclude that control of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa will be the key to future reductions in the infectious complications of CAPD patients.     

Long-Term Outcome of Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) Peritonitis: Surgery can be Avoided

INTRODUCTION

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) has become the preferred method of home dialysis for patients with end-stage renal failure. Peritonitis is a common and serious complication and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. The aim of this study was to assess what proportion of patients with CAPD peritonitis that required surgical intervention for on-going sepsis or for peritonitis-related bowel obstruction.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

All patients presenting with a first episode of CAPD peritonitis during the 5-year period from 1994–1998 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. Data collected included patient demographics, details of peritonitis episodes and their treatment, and details of any surgical intervention undertaken.

RESULTS

A total of 500 episodes were identified in 168 patients of whom 162 had complete follow-up representing 488 peritonitis episodes. Sixty-three patients experienced one episode of peritonitis, 33 two episodes, 20 had three episodes, and 46 had more than three episodes. None of the patients underwent surgery either primarily or for complications of the infective episode. A total of 465 episodes were due to a single organism (95%) and the remainder were due to multiple organisms (5%). The most common causative organisms were Gram-positive cocci (308 episodes; 71%) followed by Gram-negative bacilli (106 episodes; 24%). In 55 patients (34%), the same organism was implicated in consecutive admissions. Patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), whilst accounting for 12 of 169 (7%) patients in the cohort, experienced 23 of 125 (18.4%) episodes of peritonitis by Gram-negative cocci. Such infections were seen in 8 of 12 (66.7%) ADPKD patients and accounted for 23 of 40 (57.5%) infections experienced by the ADPKD patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Whilst CAPD peritonitis is a common problem in the renal failure population, with almost 100 episodes per year, it would appear that most episodes can be managed using intraperitoneal antibiotics without the need for surgical intervention.     

Staphylococcus aureus skin carriage and development of peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

We conducted a 15-month prospective study to investigate the skin carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and the development of peritonitis in 43 patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Sixteen of 43 patients (37%) were chronic carriers of S. aureus in the anterior nares and/or in the exit-site of the catheter; 12 patients (28%) were intermittent carriers, and 15 (35%) were noncarriers. Fifty episodes of peritonitis occurred during a total of 422 patient-months of observation. S. aureus was responsible for 16 episodes of peritonitis diagnosed in 15 patients. All episodes of S. aureus peritonitis occurred in chronic and intermittent carriers. Phage typing was performed on isolates from 8 patients with S. aureus peritonitis, and they were found to have the same phage type as that previously carried in the skin. We conclude that CAPD patients who are chronic or intermittent carriers of S. aureus are at higher risk of development of peritonitis than noncarriers.     

Infectious and catheter-related complications in pediatric patients treated with peritoneal dialysis at a single institution

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) are the predominant dialytic modalities for the majority of children while awaiting transplantation. Wide acceptability of peritoneal dialysis is hindered by infectious complications. A retrospective review of 367 pediatric patients treated with CAPD/CCPD for at least 3 months from September 1980 through December 1994 revealed that the peritonitis incidence ranged from 1.7 to 0.78 episodes per patient-year. No differences in peritonitis rates were observed between patients treated with CAPD or CCPD. Gram-positive organisms were responsible for the majority of peritonitis episodes. Age, sex, race, primary renal disease, presence of nephrotic syndrome, and serum albumin level were not associated risk factors. Longer time on treatment and diminished serum IgG level were associated with increased peritonitis incidence. Treatment was successfully completed at home in most cases. Almost half of the catheter losses were caused byStaphylococcus, Pseudomonas, and fungal peritonitis and tunnel/exit-site infections. Infectious complications are still the major causes of morbidity and treatment failure in patients treated with CAPD/CCPD. Thus, controlled studies are needed to assess methods for prevention or improvement of peritonitis rates in this patient population.     

A prospective evaluation of blood culture versus standard plate techniques for diagnosing peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Peritonitis remains a major cause of morbidity in patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Culture-negative episodes of peritonitis occur at rates of up to 20%, and in part may reflect inadequate culturing techniques of peritoneal effluent. Through a large, prospective study, the improved sensitivity of a blood culture system, when compared with a standard plate technique (P = 0.001), for the detection of bacterial growth in 67 episodes of CAPD peritonitis is demonstrated. Improved recognition of infections caused by gram-positive organisms, primarily Staphylococcus epidermidis, was especially significant using the blood culture system (P = 0.0001). Because of improved sensitivity and a decreased time to organism identification, particularly with infections caused by S epidermidis, the most common cause of bacterial peritonitis in CAPD patients, we suggest that a blood culture system be the standard means of culturing peritoneal fluid in CAPD patients with peritonitis. The lysis-centrifugation system of culturing peritoneal fluid is also discussed in comparison with the blood culture system.     

Use of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis in the analysis of recurrent Staphylococcus aureus infections in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

BACKGROUND/AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for distinguishing between relapse and reinfection of Staphylococcus aureus infections in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). METHODS: Between July 1993 and May 1997, 4 patients with recurrent CAPD-associated infections caused by S. aureus we enrolled in this study. There were nine episodes of peritonitis, one episode of temporary double lumen catheter infection, and one episode of Hickman catheter infection. A total of eleven S. aureus isolates were collected from peritoneal fluid (n = 9) and blood (n = 2). PFGE typing was applied. RESULTS: In our study, from PFGE typing, the 11 S. aureus isolates were classified into seven patterns. Antibiogram profiling classified only four patterns. Patient A had a reinfection by another strain of S. aureus, and patient B had three episodes of peritonitis caused by the same strain of S. aureus due to exit site infections. Patient C had two episodes of CAPD peritonitis caused by two different strains, respectively. Patient D had four episodes of S. aureus infection (three CAPD peritonitis and one bacteremia); the first two episodes of peritonitis were caused by an identical strain of S. aureus, whereas the subsequent two infections were caused by other organisms. CONCLUSION: PFGE has a high discriminatory power and can be an assistant method to antibiogram profiling for distinguishing relapse from reinfection in CAPD-associated peritonitis.     

持续非卧床腹膜透析患者腹膜炎的临床分析

目的：通过分析影响持续非卧床腹膜透析（CAPD）患者发生腹膜炎的因素,为腹膜炎的防治制定合理的方案。方法：调查2005年2月1日～2009年10月31日行CAPD患者的临床资料,以单因素方差分析及COX回归法分析影响患者发生腹膜炎的因素。结果：105例患者中有35例发生53次腹膜炎。致病菌中革兰阳性菌多见。术后1月内培养出的致病菌均是球菌类,而术后1月后杆菌类占43.5%。在导致腹膜炎的原因中,操作因素及消化道因素占67.9%。糖尿病患者腹膜炎发生率为36.8%,非糖尿病患者腹膜炎发生率为32.6%。白蛋白浓度下降与患者发生腹膜炎相关（P〈0.01）。结论：腹膜透析相关性腹膜炎最常见的细菌仍是球菌类。术后早期发生的腹膜炎均是球菌类,可能与早期操作不熟练相关;术后1月后杆菌类比例迅速增加,可能为消化道因素增多所致。相对于非糖尿病患者,糖尿病腹膜透析患者腹膜炎的发生率高,无腹膜炎生存时间短。白蛋白浓度降低为腹膜炎发生的高危因素。     

Differing outcomes of gram-positive and gram-negative peritonitis

Peritonitis remains the leading cause of patient dropout from continuous peritoneal dialysis (CPD) therapy. Few studies have compared patient morbidity, mortality, and outcome for patients undergoing CPD who develop gram-positive and gram-negative peritonitis. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of patients who developed either gram-positive or gram-negative peritonitis between January 1, 1993, and December 31, 1995. Three hundred seventy-five patients who developed 415 episodes of gram-positive and gram-negative peritonitis were maintained on CPD therapy during this time period. There was no difference in age, race, and sex between patients who developed gram-positive or gram-negative peritonitis. More patients with diabetes developed gram-negative peritonitis than gram-positive peritonitis (53% v 40%, respectively; P < 0.05). Coagulase-negative staphylococcal species accounted for 47% of all gram-positive episodes, whereas Klebsiella organisms, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter organisms accounted for 63% of all gram-negative episodes. Significantly more patients who developed gram-positive peritonitis continued CPD therapy 2 weeks and 6 months after the onset of peritonitis than patients who developed gram-negative peritonitis (97% v 73%; P < 0.05 at 2 weeks and 81% v 58% at 6 months; P < 0.05, respectively). Nine percent of the patients who developed gram-positive peritonitis died within 6 months after the onset of peritonitis, whereas 21% of the patients who developed gram-negative peritonitis died (P < 0.05). Patients who developed gram-negative peritonitis were significantly more likely to require hospitalization than patients who developed gram-positive peritonitis (74% v 24%; P < 0.001). More patients with gram-negative peritonitis required peritoneal catheter removal than patients with gram-positive peritonitis (18% v 4%; P < 0.001). Thirty-two percent of the patients who developed gram-positive peritonitis re-developed an episode of peritonitis with the same organism compared with only 9% of the patients who developed gram-negative peritonitis. Furthermore, peritonitis recurrence with the same organism within 6 months after the initial episode was noted in 60% of the patients with peritonitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus compared with 24% of patients with peritonitis caused by other gram-positive organisms (P < 0.05). We conclude that the outcomes of gram-positive and gram-negative peritonitis are different. When rates of peritonitis are used to predict outcome, it appears that gram-positive and gram-negative peritonitis rates need to be examined separately.     

Predictors of the outcome following peritoneal dialysis-related bacterial-complicating peritonitis

Objective To investigate the risk factors predicting the outcome of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related bacterial-complicating peritonitis. Methods In this retrospective study, all the episodes of PD-related bacterial peritonitis presenting during Jan 2009 to Dec 2013 in our center were reviewed. Clinical and laboratory parameters at the onset of peritonitis, including patient demographic information, age, gender, duration of PD, residual renal function, local and systemic inflammation state, daily exchange number, peritoneal glucose exposure and so on, were recorded. Patients episodes were divided into three groups according to the outcome: complete cure (complete resolution of peritonitis without relapse or recurrence or repeat), peritonitis-related catheter removal/death group, and relapse (relapse or recurrence or repeat) group. Results 187 CAPD patients with 27.15(11.15, 53.13) PD duration were enrolled in the study. Total of 347 episodes of bacterial peritonitis in these patients were analyzed, with 130 episodes of gram-positive bacterial infection, 71 episodes of gram-negative bacterial infection, 15 episodes of polymicrobial and 131 episodes of cultured negative. Compared to the complete cure group and the relapse group, gram negative bacterial infection was more prevalent in the peritonitis-related catheter removal/death group. Furthermore, patients in the peritonitis-related catheter removal/death group showed longer PD age (P﹤0.01) and higher serum hs-CRP (P﹤0.01). Compared to the complete cure group, the serum albumin concentration was lower in the peritonitis-related catheter removal/death group (P﹤0.01). Kt/V was significantly lower in the relapse group than that in the complete cure group (P﹤0.05). Logistic analysis indicated age, non gram positive bacterial infection and increased hs-CRP were independent predictors for peritonitis-related catheter removal or death. Conclusions Age, non gram positive bacterial infection and hs-CRP are risk factors predicting peritonitis-related catheter removal or death in CAPD patients.     

Peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis: impact of a compulsory switch from a standard to a Y-connector system in a single North American Center.

One hundred one continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients from a single North American center were analyzed in a retrospective and cross-over study for peritonitis rates using a standard system (Travenol System II) or a Y-shaped disconnect-disinfectant system (Travenol O-set). Twenty-one of 34 patients using the standard set (group I) had 53 episodes of peritonitis in 508 patient-months or one episode per 9.6 patient-months. Nine of 17 patients switching from the standard to the disconnect-disinfectant system (group II) experienced 22 episodes of peritonitis in 275 patient-months or one episode per 12.5 patient-months on the standard set, while six patients had 10 episodes of peritonitis in 275 patient-months or one episode per 27.5 patient-months on the disconnect-disinfectant system (P less than 0.04). Twenty-eight of 67 new CAPD patients starting on the disconnect-disinfectant system (group III) had 37 episodes of peritonitis in 1,086 patient-months or one episode per 29.4 patient-months (P less than 0.01 v group I). Exit-site infections (ESI) occurred in 35.3% of patients using the standard set versus 34.3% of those using the O-set. The presence of an ESI was not associated with a higher risk of peritonitis, but modified the bacteriological profile of subsequent peritonitis episodes in patients using the O-set, favoring the organisms isolated from the exit site. Decreases in peritonitis rates with the O-set were due to a reduction of peritonitis episodes secondary to most bacterial agents and not only to skin organisms. Diabetics using intraperitoneal insulin had similar peritonitis and ESI rates as nondiabetics.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Increased risk of Staphylococcus epidermidis peritonitis in patients on dialysate containing 1.25 mmol/L calcium.

Peritoneal macrophage function is decreased in vitro in the presence of dialysate with 1.25 mmol/L calcium compared with that containing 1.75 mmol/L calcium. Theoretically, patients using this dialysate may have a higher risk of peritonitis. Nineteen patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (CCPD) were converted from dialysate with 1.75 mmol/L calcium (mean time, 33 +/- 26 months) to that with 1.25 mmol/L calcium, for some or all exchanges (mean time, 10 +/- 4.7 months). Peritonitis rates were compared with 19 control patients who remained on dialysate with 1.75 mmol/L calcium. The two groups were matched for the proportion of diabetics, sex, age, use of the Y-set, and dialysis modality (CAPD, CCPD). Peritonitis rates were similar in the study patients before conversion to 1.25 mmol/L calcium dialysate and in the control patients (0.49 v 0.58 episodes/patient-year, respectively). After conversion to dialysate with 1.25 mmol/L calcium, the peritonitis rate was 0.82 episodes/patient-year contrasted to 0.58 episodes/patient-year in the control patients (P = 0.09). The peritonitis rate due to Staphylococcus epidermidis was 0.51 episodes/patient-year when 1.25 mmol/L calcium dialysate was used, and 0.19 episodes/patient-year for the comparable period in the control patients on 1.75 mmol/L calcium dialysate (P = 0.005). The proportion of peritonitis episodes due to S epidermidis increased from 20% to 61% after conversion to 1.25 mmol/L calcium (P = 0.01). The increased risk of peritonitis due to S epidermidis in patients using dialysate with 1.25 mmol/L calcium is consistent with a previous study demonstrating that clearance of S epidermidis by peritoneal macrophages is less effective with a decrease in the dialysate calcium content.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Treatment of peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients with co-trimoxazole

Peritonitis in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) represents the most frequent and difficult problem related to this new form of treatment of ESRD patients. Various treatments have been reported previously. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency of a standardized initial treatment in 45 episodes of peritonitis. This was designed to be rapidly efficient, devoided of side-effects and easy enough to be performed by the patients themselves. When peritonitis was clinically suspected, patients received intraperitoneal co-trimoxazole (80 mg trimethoprim, 400 mg sulfamethoxazole), in each of the four daily bags concomitantly with 1,000 U heparin during 2 weeks and half of this dose during 2 other weeks. Our results demonstrate that 88% of the isolates were sensitive to co-trimoxazole and 85% of the patients completed this treatment. All were cured and no relapses were observed. Only 18 days of hospitalisation were required in the 45 episodes of peritonitis. Another anti-infective agent was used in 3 cases of gram-negative peritonitis and 4 other initially resistant to co-trimoxazole. It is concluded that initial treatment of CAPD peritonitis with co-trimoxazole is justified by the high proportion of sensitive germs and that it represents a safe, efficient and inexpensive treatment.     

Diverticular disease of the colon: a risk factor for peritonitis in continuous peritoneal dialysis

To study the possible influence of colonic diverticula on the risk of peritonitis of enteral (intestinal) origin in patients undergoing continuous peritoneal dialysis, a barium enema was carried out as a pretreatment investigation in 129 consecutive patients starting CAPD over a 9-year period. In this prospective study comprising 3103 patient months, a total of 44 (15% of all) episodes of peritonitis with micro-organisms of enteral origin occurred in 30 of the 129 patients. The estimated probability of developing such an episode was 16% and 24%, respectively, within 1 or 2 years of treatment. Diverticula (greater than or equal to 1) were found in 54 (42%) of all patients. In all cases the following factors: greater than or equal to 10 diverticula, diverticular size of greater than or equal to 10 mm and diverticula in the ascending, transverse, or descending colon, significantly increased the risk of developing peritonitis of enteral origin (P less than 0.05). Neither diverticula in the sigmoid colon nor diverticulitis, as assessed by radiological findings, were identified as risk factors. Enteral episodes (as defined in this study) appear to represent mainly microperformations of existing diverticula; such episodes should probably be regarded as and handled differently from episodes due to major perforations of the colon secondary to diverticulitis. We conclude that diverticular disease of the non-sigmoid colon is a risk factor for peritonitis in CAPD.     

Non-compliance to the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis procedure increases the risk of peritonitis

Background

Peritonitis in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is the leading cause of technique failure. Information on the impact of non-compliance in performing CAPD exchange on peritonitis is limited. We aimed to find the prevalence of non-compliance to the CAPD procedure and its influence on the incidence of peritonitis.

Methods

This observational study included 30 adult patients undergoing CAPD. The CAPD exchange procedure was observed at home and assessed as per the structured checklist and categorized into poor, average and good compliance. The compliance was correlated with the episodes of peritonitis in previous 1?year.

Results

The patients?? mean age was 52?±?13?years and the mean duration of CAPD was 2.1?±?0.9?years. Only 16.5% of patients were good performers, while 67% were average performers, and 16.5% were poor performers. The technique skill was similar across all the steps of the procedure. The most common improperly performed steps were: not putting on a face mask in 68%, not flushing the tubing system in 60%, and not washing hands in 24%. Poor adherence to procedure was independent of age, gender, education and duration of dialysis. Ten episodes of peritonitis occurred in 5 patients over 1-year period. Peritonitis occurred in 60% of poor performers, whereas fully compliant patients had no peritonitis. Also 40% of the poorly compliant patients had multiple episodes of peritonitis.

Conclusions

Poor compliance in performing the CAPD procedure is a modifiable risk factor for peritonitis. Adherence to recommended aseptic technique is the cornerstone of peritonitis prevention.     

Use of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in a nursing home: patient characteristics, technique success, and survival predictors

Forty-four end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients admitted to a nursing home were treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The technical feasibility of using CAPD in this setting was demonstrated by an acceptable peritonitis rate (1.3 episodes per patient-year), acute hospitalization rate (18.5 days per patient-year), and only two technique failures. However, 6-month and 12-month survival rates were 53% and 29%, respectively. Survival analysis using the Cox model showed that patients with better functional status on admission measured by activity of daily living scores and who had previously been in an outpatient dialysis program before admission survived longer and were more often discharged.