Impact of low calcium dialysate on survival in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients

Objective To investigate the impact of low calcium dialysate on survival in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis（CAPD）patients. Methods CAPD patients at our PD center between January 1,2006 and December 31,2010 were retrospectively studied. The patients were divided into standard - calcium dialysate (SCD) group and low - calcium dialysate (LCD) group. Cox regression analysis was used to compare patient survival and determine the related risk factors Results A total of 982 eligible PD patients were included in this study, of whom 634 patients treated with standard-calcium dialysate, and 348 with low-calcium dialysate. During a median follow-up of 24.2 - month, 162(16.5% ) died, 71(43.8% ) of them due to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The overall 1-, 3-, and 5-year patient survival rates were 90.9%, 74.2% and 58.9% in SCD group and 98.6%, 94.0% and 76.4% in LCD group. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that low calcium dialysate treatment reduced 59% risk of all-cause death, as compared with standard calcium dialysate exposure. Old age, diabetes status and lower hematoglobin were independent risk factors of all - cause death in CAPD patients. Conclusion The survival rate of CAPD patients using LCD is obviously higer than that using SCD. Old age, diabetes status and lower haematoglobin are independent risk factors of all-cause death in CAPD patients.