Peritoneal dialysis in Hungary

In 1991 the technical conditions and the number of patients receiving peritoneal dialysis were surveyed in the Hungarian nephrology and dialysing units. Not only the number of patients with chronic uraemia (undergoing dialysis + transplantation) is lower in this country as compared to the European average (106 and 236 per one million people, respectively), but also their distribution according to the type of treatment is different. For several years patients under intermittent peritoneal dialysis make up more than 10% of the cases and those under continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis less than 2% (in Europe: <2% and 4–43%, respectively). The survey also included the types of solution, disinfection and connecting devices used in peritoneal dialysis, as well as the incidence of peritonitis and the administration of antibiotics. The principles of biocompatibility, the function of interleukin, as well as the effectiveness and the conditions of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis are summarized.