Old and New Perspectives on Peritoneal Dialysis in Italy Emerging from the Peritoneal Dialysis Study Group Census

♦ Background: To understand how peritoneal dialysis (PD) was being used in Italy in 2005 and 2008, a census of all centers was carried out.♦ Methods: In 2005 and 2008, data were collected from, respectively, 222 and 223 centers, with respect to 4432 and 4094 prevalent patients.♦ Results: In the two periods, the PD incidence remained stable (24.3% vs 22.9%), varying from center to center. Continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) was the main initial method (55%), but APD was more widespread among prevalent patients (53%). Among patients returning to dialysis from transplantation (Tx), PD was used in 10%. The use of incremental CAPD increased significantly from 2005 to 2008, in terms both of the number of centers (27.0% vs 40.9%) and of patients (13.6% vs 25.7%). Late referrals remained stable at 28%, with less use of PD. The overall drop-out rate (episodes/100 patient-years) remained unchanged (31.0 vs 32.8), with 13.1 and 12.9 being the result of death, and 11.8 and 12.4 being the result of a switch to hemodialysis, mainly after peritonitis. A dialysis partner was required by 21.8% of the PD patients. The incidence of peritonitis was 1 episode in 36.5 and 41.1 patient-months, with negative cultures occurring in 17.1% of cases in both periods. The incidence of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (episodes/100 patient-years) was 0.70, representing 1.26% of patients treated. The catheter types used and the sites and methods of insertion varied widely from center to center.♦ Conclusions: These censuses confirm the good results of PD in Italy, and provide insight into little-known aspects such as the use of incremental PD, the presence of a dialysis partner, and the incidence of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis.     

Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: 9-Year Experience of a Single Center from North India

♦ Objective: There is a paucity of published data on the outcome of maintenance peritoneal dialysis (PD) since the initiation of continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) in India in 1991. The purpose of this study is to report long-term clinical outcomes of PD patients at a single center.♦ Design: Retrospective study.♦ Setting: A government-owned tertiary-care hospital in North India.♦ Patients: Patients who were initiated on CAPD between October 2002 and June 2011, and who survived and/or had more than 6 months’ follow-up on this treatment with last follow-up till December 31, 2011, were studied.♦ Results: A total of 60 patients were included in the analysis. The mean age of the patients was 60.2 ± 9.2 years. The majority (65%) of the patients lived in rural areas. A high proportion (47%) were diabetic and 62% had ≥ 2 comorbidities. Total duration on peritoneal dialysis treatment was 1,773 patient-months (148 patient-years) with a mean duration of 29.6 ± 23 patient-months and median duration of 25 patient-months (range 6 - 110 patient-months). Overall patient and technique survival at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years was 77%, 53%, 25%, 15%, and 10% respectively. Patient survival of diabetics vs non-diabetics at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years was 68% vs 84%, 54% vs 53%, 14% vs 34%, 11% vs 19%, and 11% vs 13%, respectively. The mortality in non-diabetics (16/32) was less than that in diabetic (18/28) patients (p = not significant). The main cause of mortality in these patients was cardiac followed by sepsis. There were 58 episodes of peritonitis. The rate of peritonitis was 1 episode per 30.6 patient-months or 0.39 episodes per patient-year. Furthermore, the total number of episodes of peritonitis and number of episodes of peritonitis per patient were higher in the non-survival group (p < 0.05). The incidence of tuberculosis (TB), herpes zoster (HZ) and hernias was 15%, 10% and 5% respectively.♦ Conclusion: The study reports long-term outcomes of the PD patients, the majority of whom were elderly with a high burden of comorbidities. There was a high proportion of diabetics. The survival of diabetic vs non-diabetic and elderly vs non-elderly PD patients was similar in our study. The mortality in non-diabetics was less than that in diabetic patients. TB and HZ were common causes of morbidity. Peritonitis was associated with mortality in these patients.     

Microbiology of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients with multiple episodes

♦ Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD)–associated peritonitis clusters within patients. Patient factors contribute to peritonitis risk, but there is also entrapment of organisms within the biofilm that forms on PD catheters. It is hypothesized that this biofilm may prevent complete eradication of organisms, predisposing to multiple infections with the same organism.♦ Methods: Using data collected in the Canadian multicenter Baxter POET (Peritonitis, Organism, Exit sites, Tunnel infections) database from 1996 to 2005, we studied incident PD patients with 2 or more peritonitis episodes. We determined the proportion of patients with 2 or more episodes caused by the same organism. In addition, using a multivariate logistic regression model, we tested whether prior peritonitis with a given organism predicted the occurrence of a subsequent episode with the same organism.♦ Results: During their time on PD, 558 patients experienced 2 or more peritonitis episodes. Of those 558 patients, 181 (32%) had at least 2 episodes with the same organism. The organism most commonly causing repeat infection was coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS), accounting for 65.7% of cases. Compared with peritonitis caused by other organisms, a first CNS peritonitis episode was associated with an increased risk of subsequent CNS peritonitis within 1 year (odds ratio: 2.1; 95% confidence interval: 1.5 to 2.8; p < 0.001). Among patients with repeat CNS peritonitis, 48% of repeat episodes occurred within 6 months of the earlier episode.♦ Conclusions: In contrast to previous data, we did not find a high proportion of patients with multiple peritonitis episodes caused by the same organism. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the organism most likely to cause peritonitis more than once in a given patient, and a prior CNS peritonitis was associated with an increased risk of CNS peritonitis within the subsequent year.     

Peritoneal dialysis in childhood acute kidney injury: experience in southwest Nigeria

♦ Background: The choices for renal replacement therapy (RRT) in childhood acute kidney injury (AKI) are limited in low-resource settings. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) appears to be the most practical modality for RRT in young children with AKI in such settings. Data from sub-Saharan Africa on the use of PD in childhood AKI are few.♦ Methods: We performed a retrospective study of children who underwent PD for AKI at a tertiary-care hospital in southwest Nigeria from February 2004 to March 2011 (85 months).♦ Results: The study included 27 children (55.6% female). Mean age was 3.1 ± 2.6 years, with the youngest being 7 days, and the oldest, 9 years. The causes of AKI were intravascular hemolysis (n = 11), septicemia (n = 8), acute glomerulonephritis (n = 3), gastroenteritis (n = 3), and hemolytic uremic syndrome (n = 2). Peritoneal dialysis was performed manually using percutaneous or adapted catheters. Duration of PD ranged from 6 hours to 12 days (mean: 5.0 ± 3.3 days). The main complications were peritonitis (n = 10), pericatheter leakage (n = 9), and catheter outflow obstruction (n = 5). Of the 27 patients, 19 (70%) survived till discharge.♦ Conclusions: In low-resource settings, PD can be successfully performed for the management of childhood AKI. In our hospital, the use of adapted catheters may have contributed to the high complication rates. Peritoneal dialysis should be promoted for the management of childhood AKI in low-resource settings, and access to percutaneous or Tenckhoff catheters, dialysis fluid, and automated PD should be increased.     

Mortality Rates Do Not Differ Among Patients Prescribed Various Vitamin D Agents

♦ Background: Limited well-controlled research exists examining the impact of different formulations of oral vitamin D on clinical outcomes in dialysis patients, specifically those on peritoneal dialysis. For this retrospective mortality analysis, we compared mortality rates of patients on 3 of the most commonly prescribed vitamin D agents.♦ Methods: We examined 2 years (7/1/2008 to 6/30/2010) of oral medication records of peritoneal dialysis patients from a large US dialysis organization. Patients were identified whose physicians prescribed a single form of vitamin D (calcitriol, paricalcitol, or doxercalciferol) for ≥ 90% of all patient-months. We excluded incident patients (< 90 days on dialysis) and patients whose physicians treated < 5 peritoneal dialysis patients at a dialysis facility, and we assessed mortality.♦ Results: The analysis inclusion criteria identified 1,707 patients. The subset in this analysis included 12.6% of all prevalent peritoneal dialysis patients and 11.8% of prevalent patient-months. Patients with physicians who predominately prescribed calcitriol had a lower mortality rate: 9.33 (confidence interval (CI) 7.06, 11.60) deaths per 100 patient-years than the doxercalciferol, 12.20 (CI 9.34, 15.06) or paricalcitol, 12.27 (CI 9.27, 15.28) groups. However, these differences were not statistically significant. A Cox proportional hazards model, adjusting for differences in age, vintage, gender, race, body mass index, and comorbidities also showed no significant differences.♦ Conclusions: For this peritoneal dialysis population, instrumental variable analyses showed no significant difference in mortality in patients taking the most common oral vitamin D formulations (calcitriol, doxercalciferol, paricalcitol).     

Effect of Body Mass Index on Outcomes of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients in India

♦ Objectives: We studied the effect of body mass index (BMI) at peritoneal dialysis (PD) initiation on patient and technique survival and on peritonitis during follow-up.♦ Methods: We followed 328 incident patients on PD (176 with diabetes; 242 men; mean age: 52.6 ± 12.6 years; mean BMI: 21.9 ± 3.8 kg/m²) for 20.0 ± 14.3 months. Patients were categorized into four BMI groups: obese, ≥25 kg/m²; overweight, 23 - 24.9 kg/m²; normal, 18.5 - 22.9 kg/m² (reference category); and underweight, <18.5 kg/m². The outcomes of interest were compared between the groups.♦ Results: Of the 328 patients, 47 (14.3%) were underweight, 171 (52.1%) were normal weight, 53 (16.2%) were overweight, and 57 (17.4%) were obese at commencement of PD therapy. The crude hazard ratio (HR) for mortality (p = 0.004) and the HR adjusted for age, subjective global assessment, comorbidities, albumin, diabetes, and residual glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.02) were both significantly greater in the underweight group than in the normal-weight group. In comparison with the reference category, the HR for mortality was significantly greater for underweight PD patients with diabetes [2.7; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5 to 5.0; p = 0.002], but similar for all BMI categories of nondiabetic PD patients.Median patient survival was statistically inferior in underweight patients than in patients having a normal BMI. Median patient survival in underweight, normal, overweight, and obese patients was, respectively, 26 patient-months (95% CI: 20.9 to 31.0 patient-months), 50 patient-months (95% CI: 33.6 to 66.4 patient-months), 57.7 patient-months (95% CI: 33.2 to 82.2 patient-months), and 49 patient-months (95% CI: 18.4 to 79.6 patient-months; p = 0.015). Death-censored technique survival was statistically similar in all BMI categories. In comparison with the reference category, the odds ratio for peritonitis occurrence was 1.8 (95% CI: 0.9 to 3.4; p = 0.086) for underweight patients; 1.7 (95% CI: 0.9 to 3.2; p = 0.091) for overweight patients; and 3.4 (95% CI: 1.8 to 6.4; p < 0.001) for obese patients.♦ Conclusions: In our PD patients, mean BMI was within the normal range. The HR for mortality was significantly greater for underweight diabetic PD patients than for patients in the reference category. Death-censored technique survival was similar in all BMI categories. Obese patients had a greater risk of peritonitis.     

Pilot Experience in Senegal with Peritoneal Dialysis for End-Stage Renal Disease

♦ Introduction: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is occasionally used in western sub-Saharan Africa to treat patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). The present study is a retrospective review of the initial six years’ experience with PD for ESRD therapy in Senegal, a West African country with a population of over 12 million.♦ Material and Methods: Single-center retrospective cohort study of patients treated with PD between March 2004 and December 2010. Basic demographic data were collected on all patients. Peritonitis rates, causes of death and reasons for transfer to hemodialysis (HD) were determined in all patients.♦ Results: Sixty-two patients were included in the study. The median age was 47 ± 13 years with a male/female ratio of 1.21. Nephrosclerosis and diabetic nephropathy were the main causes of ESRD. The mean Charlson score was 3 ± 1 with a range of 2 to 7. Forty five peritonitis episodes were diagnosed in 36 patients (58%) for a peritonitis rate of 1 episode/20 patient-months (0.60 episodes per year). Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most commonly identified organisms. Touch contamination has been implicated in 26 cases (57.7%). In 23 episodes (51%), bacterial cultures were negative. Catheter removal was necessary in 12 cases (26.6%) due to mechanical dysfunction, fungal or refractory infection. Sixteen patients died during the study.♦ Conclusion: Peritoneal dialysis is a suitable therapy which may be widely used for ESRD treatment in western sub-Saharan Africa. A good peritonitis rate can be achieved despite the difficult living conditions of patients. Challenges to the development of PD programs include training health care providers, developing an infrastructure to support the program, and developing a cost structure which permits expansion of the PD program.     

Peritoneal Ultrafiltration in Refractory Heart Failure: A Cohort Study

♦ Introduction: Acutely decompensated heart failure (HF) in patients with diuretic resistance is often treated with extracorporeal ultrafiltration. Peritoneal ultrafiltration (PUF) has been proposed for the long-term management of severe HF after resolution of the acute episode. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of PUF in the treatment of chronic refractory HF in patients without end-stage renal disease.♦ Methods: This multicenter (10 nephrology departments throughout Italy) retrospective observational study included patients with severe HF refractory to maximized drug treatment. The patients were proposed for PUF because they had experienced at least 3 hospital admissions in the preceding year for acutely decompensated HF requiring extracorporeal ultrafiltration.♦ Results: Of the 48 study patients (39 men, 9 women; mean age 74 ± 9 years), 30 received 1 nocturnal icodextrin exchange, 5 required 2 daily exchanges, and 13 received 2 - 4 sessions per week of automated peritoneal dialysis. During the first year, renal function remained stable (initial: 20.8 ± 10.0 mL/min/1.73 m²; end: 22.0 ± 13.6 mL/min/1.73 m²), while pulmonary artery systolic pressure declined to 40 ± 6.09 mmHg from 45.5 ± 9.18 mmHg (p = 0.03), with a significant concomitant improvement in New York Heart Association functional status. Hospitalizations decreased to 11 ± 17 days/patient-year from 43 ± 33 days/patient-year before the start of PUF (p < 0.001). The incidence of peritonitis was 1 episode in 45 patient-months. Patient survival was 85% at 1 year and 56% at 2 years.♦ Conclusions: This study confirms the satisfactory results of using PUF for chronic HF in elderly patients.     

Comparing cardiac surgery in peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis patients: perioperative outcomes and two-year survival

♦ Background: We sought to compare perioperative outcomes and 2-year survival in a cohort of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients compared with matched hemodialysis (HD) patients who underwent cardiothoracic surgery at our institution.♦ Methods: We obtained a list of all dialysis-dependent patients who underwent cardiac surgery (coronary artery bypass grafting, valve replacement, or both) at our center between 1994 and 2008. All patients undergoing PD at the time of surgery were included in our analysis. Two HD patients matched for age, diabetes status, and Charleston comorbidity score were obtained for each PD patient.♦ Results: The analysis included 36 PD patients and 72 HD patients. Mean age, sex, diabetes status, cardiac unit stay, hospital stay, and operative mortality did not differ by dialysis modality. The incidence of 1 or more postoperative complications (infection, prolonged intubation, death) was higher for HD patients (50% vs. 28% for PD patients, p = 0.046). After surgery, 2 PD patients required conversion to HD. The 2-year survival was 69% for PD patients and 66% for HD patients (p = 0.73).♦ Conclusions: Our findings suggest that, compared with HD patients, PD patients who require cardiac surgery do not experience more early complications or a lesser 2-year survival and that 2-year survival for dialysis patients after cardiac surgery is acceptable.     

Neighborhood location, rurality, geography, and outcomes of peritoneal dialysis patients in the United States

♦ Background: The adjusted 5-year survival for dialysis patients in the United States is 33%–35%, and patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD) have a high risk of transfer to hemodialysis (HD). No data are available on the effect of neighborhood characteristics or regional differences on the outcomes of PD patients in the United States.♦ Methods: We analyzed the relationships of selected patient demographics, socio-economic characteristics of the dialysis unit’s neighborhood, “rurality,” and geographic location with transfer to HD and with a composite outcome of transfer to HD or death, for all PD patients in the United States who, between 2004 and 2009, used supplies manufactured by Baxter Healthcare (n = 58 700).♦ Results: Over a median follow-up of 18.7 months, 29% of patients transferred to HD (median time to HD transfer: 49 months), and 54% reached the composite outcome. More than 20% of the events occurred within the first 90 days of PD start. The risk for each of the study outcomes was higher for patients who had received any previous treatment with HD, for those treated in units located in areas with a higher proportion of black residents, and for those living in remote rural areas. Furthermore, the risk for reaching either of the study outcomes was consistently lower for patients treated in units located in California, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, the Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.♦ Conclusions: We observed significant regional differences in the outcomes of PD patients in the United States that have not previously been reported. Understanding the differences in clinical practice that underlie these regional differences might help to further improve PD outcomes.     

The Negative Impact of Early Peritonitis on Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

♦ Background: Peritonitis rate has been reported to be associated with technique failure and overall mortality in previous literatures. However, information on the impact of the timing of the first peritonitis episode on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients is sparse. The aim of this research is to study the influence of time to first peritonitis on clinical outcomes, including technique failure, patient mortality and dropout from peritoneal dialysis (PD).♦ Methods: A retrospective observational cohort study was conducted over 10 years at a single PD unit in Taiwan. A total of 124 patients on CAPD with at least one peritonitis episode comprised the study subjects, which were dichotomized by the median of time to first peritonitis into either early peritonitis patients or late peritonitis patients. Cox proportional hazard model was used to analyze the correlation of the timing of first peritonitis with clinical outcomes.♦ Results: Early peritonitis patients were older, more diabetic and had lower serum levels of creatinine than the late peritonitis patients. Early peritonitis patients were associated with worse technique survival, patient survival and stay on PD than late peritonitis patients, as indicated by Kaplan-Meier analysis (log-rank test, p = 0.04, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). In the multivariate Cox regression model, early peritonitis was still a significant predictor for technique failure (hazard ratio (HR), 0.54; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.30 - 0.98), patient mortality (HR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.13 - 0.92) and dropout from PD (HR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.30 - 0.82). In continuous analyses, a 1-month increase in the time to the first peritonitis episode was associated with a 2% decreased risk of technique failure (HR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97 - 0.99), a 3% decreased risk of patient mortality (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95 - 0.99), and a 2% decreased risk of dropout from PD (HR, 98%; 95% CI, 0.97 - 0.99). Peritonitis rate was inversely correlated with time to first peritonitis according to the Spearman analysis (r = -0.64, p < 0.001).♦ Conclusions: Time to first peritonitis is significantly correlated with clinical outcomes of peritonitis patients with early peritonitis patients having poor prognosis. Patients with shorter time to first peritonitis were prone to having a higher peritonitis rate.     

Characteristics and Outcomes of Fungal Peritonitis in a Modern North American Cohort

♦ Introduction: Peritonitis remains a common complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Although representing only 1 – 12% of overall peritonitis in dialysis patients, fungal peritonitis (FP) is associated with serious complications, including technique failure and death. Only scarce data have been published regarding FP outcomes in modern cohorts in North America. In this study we evaluated the rates, characteristics and outcomes of FP in a major North American PD center.♦ Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including all fungal peritonitis episodes among peritoneal dialysis patients followed in a large PD center between January 2000 and February 2013. Our pre-specified endpoints included rates of FP, characteristics, outcomes and determinants of death.♦ Results: Thirty-six episodes of FP were identified during the follow-up period (one episode per 671 patient-months), representing 4.5% of the total peritonitis events. Patients’ mean age and peritoneal dialysis vintage were 61.3 ± 15.5 and 2.9 (1.5 – 4.8) years, respectively. Of the 36 episodes of FP, seven (19%) resulted in death and 17 (47%) led to technique failure with permanent transfer to hemodialysis. Surprisingly, PD was eventually resumed in 33% of cases with a median delay of 15 weeks (interquartile range 8 – 23) between FP and catheter reinsertion. In a univariable analysis, a higher Charlson comorbidity index (Odds ratio [OR] 3.25 per unit increase, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.23 – 8.58) and PD fluid white blood cell (WBC) count greater than 3,000/mm³ at presentation (OR 6.56, 95% CI 1.05 – 40.95) predicted death.♦ Conclusion: While fungal peritonitis is still associated with a high frequency of death and technique failure, onethird of our patients eventually returned to PD. Patients with a high burden of comorbidities appear at higher risk of death. We postulate that the high mortality associated with FP is partially related to the severity of comorbidity among patients with FP, rather than the infection per se. Importantly, PD can be resumed in a significant proportion of cases.     

Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis in Limpopo Province,South Africa: Predictors of Patient and Technique Survival

♦ Introduction and aim: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is not a frequently used modality of dialysis in many parts of Africa due to several socio-economic factors. Available studies from Africa have shown a strong association between outcome and socio-demographic variables. We sought to assess the outcome of patients treated with CAPD in Limpopo, South Africa.♦ Methods: This was a retrospective study of 152 patients treated with CAPD at the Polokwane Kidney and Dialysis Centre (PKDC) from 2007 to 2012. We collected relevant demographic and biochemical data for all patients included in the study. A composite outcome of death while still on peritoneal dialysis (PD) or CAPD technique failure from any cause requiring a change of modality to hemodialysis (HD) was selected. The peritonitis rate and causes of peritonitis were assessed from 2008 when all related data could be obtained.♦ Results: There were 52% males in the study and the average age of the patients was 36.8 ± 11.4 years. Unemployment rate was high (71.1%), 41.1% had tap water at home, the average distance travelled to the dialysis center was 122.9 ± 78.2 kilometres and half the patients had a total income less than USD ($)180 per month. Level of education, having electricity at home, having tap water at home, body mass index (BMI), serum albumin and hemoglobin were significantly different between those reaching the composite outcome and those not reaching it (p < 0.05). The overall peritonitis rate was 0.82/year with 1-year, 2-year and 5-year survival found to be 86.7%, 78.7% and 65.3% (patient survival) and 83.3%, 71.7% and 62.1% (technique survival). Predictors of the composite outcome were BMI (p = 0.011), serum albumin (p = 0.030), hemoglobin (p = 0.002) and more than 1 episode of peritonitis (p = 0.038).♦ Conclusion: Treatment of anemia and malnutrition as well as training and re-training of CAPD patients and staff to prevent recurrence of peritonitis can have positive impacts on CAPD outcomes in this population.     

Predictors of Peritonitis,Hospital Days,and Technique Survival for Peritoneal Dialysis Patients in a Managed Care Setting

♦ Introduction: Many clinicians perceive that peritoneal dialysis (PD) should be reserved for younger, healthier, more affluent patients. Our aim was to examine outcomes for PD patients in a managed care setting and to identify predictors of adverse outcomes.♦ Methods: We identified all patients who initiated PD at our institution between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2010. Predictor variables studied included age, sex, race, PD modality, cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), dialysis vintage, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score, education, and income level. Poisson models were used to determine the relative risk (RR) of peritonitis and the number of hospital days per patient-year. The log-rank test was used to compare technique survival by patient strata.♦ Results: Among the 1378 patients who met the inclusion criteria, only female sex [RR: 0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.74 to 0.98; p = 0.02] and higher education (RR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.98; p = 0.04) were associated with peritonitis. For hospital days, dialysis vintage (RR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.18; p = 0.002), CCI score (RR: 1.06; 95% CI: 1.02 to 1.20; p = 0.002), and cause of ESRD (RR for glomerulonephritis: 0.59; 95% CI: 0.43 to 0.80; p = 0.0006; and RR for hypertension: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.55 to 0.88; p = 0.002) were associated with 1 extra hospital day per patient-year. The 2-year technique survival was 61% for patients who experienced at least 1 episode of peritonitis and 72% for those experiencing no peritonitis (p = 0.0001). Baseline patient age, primary cause of ESRD, and PD modality were the only other variables associated with technique survival in the study.♦ Conclusions: Neither race nor socio-economic status predicted technique survival or hospital days in our study. Female sex and higher education were the only two variables studied that had an association with peritonitis.     

Cost-effectiveness analysis of the Spanish renal replacement therapy program

♦ Background: We undertook a cost-effectiveness analysis of the Spanish Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) program for end-stage renal disease patients from a societal perspective. The current Spanish situation was compared with several hypothetical scenarios.♦ Methods: A Markov chain model was used as a foundation for simulations of the Spanish RRT program in three temporal horizons (5, 10, and 15 years). The current situation (scenario 1) was compared with three different scenarios: increased proportion of overall scheduled (planned) incident patients (scenario 2); constant proportion of overall scheduled incident patients, but increased proportion of scheduled incident patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), resulting in a lower proportion of scheduled incident patients on hemodialysis (HD) (scenario 3); and increased overall proportion of scheduled incident patients together with increased scheduled incidence of patients on PD (scenario 4).♦ Results: The incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of scenarios 2, 3, and 4, when compared with scenario 1, were estimated to be, respectively, –€83 150, –€354 977, and –€235 886 per incremental quality-adjusted life year (ΔQALY), evidencing both moderate cost savings and slight effectiveness gains. The net health benefits that would accrue to society were estimated to be, respectively, 0.0045, 0.0211, and 0.0219 ΔQALYs considering a willingness-to-pay threshold of €35 000/ΔQALY.♦ Conclusions: Scenario 1, the current Spanish situation, was dominated by all the proposed scenarios. Interestingly, scenarios 3 and 4 showed the best results in terms of cost-effectiveness. From a cost-effectiveness perspective, an increase in the overall scheduled incidence of RRT, and particularly that of PD, should be promoted.     

Outcome of Acute Kidney Injury in Sudanese Children — An Experience from a Sub-Saharan African Unit

♦ Background: Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. Although continuous renal replacement therapy is gaining more popularity worldwide, peritoneal dialysis (PD) in children remains an appropriate therapy for AKI in children for all age groups including neonates.♦ Methodology: We retrospectively reviewed all children who have been admitted with AKI at the pediatric nephrology unit, Soba University Hospital, Khartoum, during the period from January 2005 to December 2011.♦ Results: Over 7 years we recorded 659 children of whom 362 (54.9%) were male. The spectrum of age was variable with the majority being neonates, 178 (27.1%). The average patient admission rate was 94 patients per year, with an estimated incidence of 9.8 patients/million population/year. Common causes of AKI were sepsis 202 (30.8%), acute glomerulonephritis 75 (11.5%) and obstructive uropathy due to stones 56 (8.5%). The most common dialysis modality used was PD, 343 (52.4%), and peritonitis was reported in 53 (15.4%) patients. Recovery from AKI was achieved in 450 (68.9%) children, 37 (5.7%) went into chronic kidney disease (CKD), 33 (5.1%) referred to the pediatric surgery and 194 (29.7%) died.♦ Conclusion: In the setting of developing countries where AKI is a common cause of morbidity and mortality, reasonably equipped renal units with adequately trained medical staff may save many lives. International funding programs for communicable diseases and charity organizations should include AKI management in their programs. Acute PD remains the treatment modality of choice for AKI in developing countries.     

A peritoneal dialysis regimen low in glucose and glucose degradation products results in increased cancer antigen 125 and peritoneal activation

♦ Background: Glucose and glucose degradation products (GDPs) in peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDFs) are both thought to mediate progressive peritoneal worsening.♦ Methods: In a multicenter, prospective, randomized crossover study, incident continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients were treated either with conventional lactate-buffered PDF (sPD regimen) or with a regimen low in glucose and GDPs: Nutrineal×1, Extraneal×1, and Physioneal×2 (NEPP regimen; all solutions: Baxter Healthcare, Utrecht, Netherlands). After 6 months, patients were switched to the alternative regimen for another 6 months. After 6 weeks of run-in, before the switch, and at the end of the study, 4-hour peritoneal equilibration tests were performed, and overnight effluents were analyzed for cells and biomarkers. Differences between the regimens were assessed by multivariate analysis corrected for time and regimen sequence.♦ Results: The 45 patients who completed the study were equally distributed over both groups. During NEPP treatment, D₄/D₀ glucose was lower (p < 0.01) and D/P creatinine was higher (p = 0.04). In NEPP overnight effluent, mesothelial cells (p < 0.0001), cancer antigen 125 (p < 0.0001), hyaluronan (p < 0.0001), leukocytes (p < 0.001), interleukins 6 (p = 0.001) and 8 (p = 0.0001), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF, p < 0.0001) were increased by a factor of 2 – 3 compared with levels in sPD effluent. The NEPP regimen was associated with higher transport parameters, but that association disappeared after the addition of VEGF to the model. The association between NEPP and higher effluent levels of VEGF could not be attributed to glucose and GDP loads.♦ Conclusions: Study results indicate preservation of the mesothelium and increased peritoneal activation during NEPP treatment. Whether the increase in VEGF reflects an increase in mesothelial cell mass or whether it points to another, undesirable mechanism cannot be determined from the present study. Longitudinal studies are needed to finally evaluate the usefulness of the NEPP regimen for further clinical use.     

Identification of Targets for Prevention of Peritoneal Catheter Tunnel and Exit-Site Infections in Low Incidence Settings

♦ Background:

Peritoneal catheter tunnel and exit-site infection (TESI) complicates the clinical course of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Adherence to recommendations for catheter insertion, exit-site care, and management of Staphylococcus aureus (SAu) carriage reduces, but does not abrogate the risk of these infections.

♦ Objective:

To reappraise the risk profile for TESI in an experienced center with a long-term focus on management of SAu carriage and a low incidence of these infections.

♦ Method:

Following a retrospective, observational design, we investigated 665 patients incident on PD. The main study variable was survival to the first episode of TESI. We considered selected demographic, clinical, and technical variables, applying multivariate strategies of analysis.

♦ Main results:

The overall incidence of TESI was 1 episode/68.5 patient-months. Staphylococcus aureus carriage disclosed at inception of PD (but not if observed sporadically during follow-up) (hazard ratio [HR] 1.53, p = 0.009), PD started shortly after catheter insertion (HR 0.98 per day, p = 0.011), PD after kidney transplant failure (HR 2.18, p = 0.017), lower hemoglobin levels (HR 0.88 per g/dL, p = 0.013) and fast peritoneal transport rates (HR 2.92, p = 0.03) portended an increased risk of TESI. Delaying PD ≥ 30 days after catheter insertion markedly improved the probability of TESI. Carriage of methicillin-resistant SAu since the start of PD was associated with a high incidence of TESI by these bacteria. On the contrary, resistance to mupirocin did not predict such a risk, probably due to the use of an alternative regime in affected patients.

♦ Conclusions:

Adherence to current recommendations results in a low incidence of TESI in PD patients. Interventions on specific risk subsets have a potential to bring incidence close to negligible levels. Despite systematic screening and management, SAu carriage is still a predictor of TESI. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns may help to refine stratification of the risk of TESI by these bacteria. Early insertion of the peritoneal catheter should be considered whenever possible, to reduce the risk of later TESI.     

Intermittent peritoneal dialysis: urea kinetic modeling and implications of residual kidney function

♦ Background: Intermittent peritoneal dialysis (IPD) is an old strategy that has generally been eclipsed, in the home setting, by daily peritoneal therapies. However, for a select group of patients with exhausted vascular access or inability to receive PD at home, in-center IPD may remain an option or may serve as an incremental strategy before initiation of full-dose PD. We investigated the residual kidney clearance requirements necessary to allow thrice-weekly IPD regimens to meet current adequacy targets.♦ Methods: The 3-pore model of peritoneal transport was used to examine 2 thrice-weekly IPD dialysis modalities: 5 – 6 dwells with 10 – 12 L total volume (low-dose IPD), and 50% tidal with 20 – 24 L total volume (high-dose IPD). We assumed an 8-hour dialysis duration and 1.5% dextrose solution, with a 2-L fill volume, except in tidal mode. The PD Adequest application (version 2.0: Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, IL, USA) and typical patient kinetic parameters derived from a large dataset [data on file from Treatment Adequacy Review for Gaining Enhanced Therapy (Baxter Healthcare Corporation)] were used to model urea clearances. The minimum glomerular filtration rate (GFR) required to achieve a total weekly urea Kt/V of 1.7 was calculated.♦ Results: In the absence of any dialysis, the minimum residual GFR necessary to achieve a weekly urea Kt/V of 1.7 was 9.7 mL/min/1.73 m². Depending on membrane transport type, the low-dose IPD modality met urea clearance targets for patients with a GFR between 6.0 mL/min/1.73 m² and 7.6 mL/min/1.73 m². Similarly, the high-dose IPD modality met the urea clearance target for patients with a GFR between 4.7 mL/min/1.73 m² and 6.5 mL/min/1.73 m².♦ Conclusions: In patients with residual GFR of at least 7.6 mL/min/1.73 m², thrice-weekly low-dose IPD (10 L) achieved a Kt/V urea of 1.7 across all transport types. Increasing the IPD volume resulted in a decreased residual GFR requirement of 4.7 mL/min/1.73 m² (24 L, 50% tidal). In patients with residual kidney function and dietary compliance, IPD may be a viable strategy in certain clinical situations.     

Effect of duration of chronic peritoneal dialysis therapy on the development of peritonitis.

OBJECTIVE: Long-term chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD) therapy has been associated with alterations in peritoneal membrane structure and peritoneal macrophage function. We thus reviewed our experience with the development of peritonitis among patients maintained on CPD therapy for various time periods to determine if the spectrum of organisms, rates of peritonitis, and outcome changed with the duration of CPD therapy. SETTING AND PATIENTS: Patients maintained on CPD therapy in our out-patient unit in New Haven, Connecticut. DESIGN: Retrospective review of the charts of patients maintained on CPD therapy (HomeChoice Cycler or Ultrabag, Baxter, McGaw Park, IL, U.S.A.) between 1 January 1997 and 31 March 1998. These patients were divided into three groups: group 1, patients maintained on CPD therapy < or = 12 months; group 2, patients maintained on CPD therapy for 13-36 months; and group 3, patients maintained on CPD therapy for > or = 37 months. RESULTS: The study included 256 patients: 101 patients in group 1, 110 patients in group 2, and 45 patients in group 3. All groups of patients were similar in age. There were significantly fewer Caucasians and fewer males in group 3 in comparison to groups 1 and 2. The incidence of diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease was significantly lower among patients in group 3 in comparison to groups 1 and 2. There were 155 episodes of peritonitis during the study period for an overall rate of 1 episode in 18.7 patient-months. The overall, gram-positive, and gram-negative rates of peritonitis were not significantly different among the patients in groups 1, 2, and 3. There were more episodes of Staphylococcus aureus peritonitis among patients in group 3 in comparison to group 2 (1 episode in 59.6 vs 1 episode in 280.2 patient-months, respectively). Two weeks after the development of peritonitis, 94.6% of the patients in group 3 continued CPD therapy, while 79.4% of the patients in group 1 continued CPD therapy (p < 0.05). No patient in group 3 transferred to hemodialysis, while 10.3% and 8.2% of the patients in groups 1 and 2 transferred to hemodialysis (p < 0.05). The death rate 2 weeks after the onset of peritonitis was 10.3%, 9.8%, and 5.4% in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (p = NS). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the immunological and morphological changes that occur in the peritoneal cavity with increased time on CPD therapy, there was no difference in the overall, gram-positive, or gram-negative rates of peritonitis for patients maintained on CPD therapy for various time periods. Patients in group 3 continued CPD therapy more often than did patients in group 1. Patients in group 3 transferred to hemodialysis less often than did the remaining patients in the study period. The incidence of death was not significantly different for the three groups of patients.