Risk factors and etiological characteristics of urinary tract infection in hospitalized continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the risk factors and etiological characteristics of urinary tract infection (UTI) in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 90 CAPD patients with UTI comprised the infection group, while 32 CAPD patients without UTI constituted the control group. The risk factors and etiological characteristics of UTI were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 90 bacterial strains isolated, 30 were Gram-positive (33.3%) and 60 were Gram-negative (66.7%). Urinary stones or urinary tract structural changes were more prevalent in the infection group (71.1%) than in the control group (46.9%) (χ² = 6.076, p = 0.018). The proportion of patients with residual diuresis less than 200 ml was higher in the infection group (50%) than in the control group (15.6%) (χ² = 11.533, p = 0.001). The distribution of primary disease differed between the two groups. Patients in the infection group had higher CAPD vintage, levels of triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, blood creatinine, blood phosphorus, and calcium-phosphorus product than those in the control group. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis indicated that residual diuresis less than 200 ml (OR = 3.519, p = 0.039) and urinary stones or structural changes (OR = 4.727, p = 0.006) were independent risk factors for UTI. CONCLUSIONS: Urine cultures of CAPD patients with UTI contained a complex distribution of pathogenic bacteria. Urinary stones or structural changes and residual diuresis less than 200 ml were independent risk factors for UTI.

Effects of soy isoflavones on serum lipids and lipoprotein (a) in peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Lipid abnormalities are common in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients and no effective treatment to decrease serum lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] in dialysis patients is known so far. Therefore, this research was designed to investigate the effects of soy isoflavone supplement on serum lipids and Lp(a) in PD patients. METHODS & RESULTS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 40 PD patients were randomly assigned to either the isoflavone or the placebo group. The patients in the isoflavone group received 100 mg soy isoflavone daily for 8 weeks, whereas the placebo group received corresponding placebos. At baseline and the end of the 8th week, 7 mL of blood was obtained from each patient and serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and Lp(a) were measured. Serum Lp(a) reduced significantly up to 10% in the isoflavone group at the end of week 8 compared to baseline (P < 0.05), and the reduction was significant in comparison with the placebo group (P < 0.05). Serum HDL-C increased significantly up to 11.5% in the isoflavone group at the end of week 8 compared to baseline (P = 0.05), and the increment was significant in comparison with the placebo group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean changes of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL-C. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that daily administration of 100 mg soy isoflavones reduces serum Lp(a) and increases HDL-C concentration which are two determinants of cardiovascular disease in PD patients. CLINICALTRIALS.GOV: NCT03773029. REGISTRATION NUMBER AND DATE: NCT03773029 - 2018.

Clinical efficacy and feasibility of whey protein isolates supplementation in malnourished peritoneal dialysis patients: A multicenter, parallel, open-label randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Poor dietary intake is commonly associated with malnutrition in the dialysis population and oral nutritional supplementation is strategized to redress dietary inadequacy. Knowledge on clinical efficacy of whey protein supplementation (WPS) as an option to treat malnutrition in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients is limited. METHODS: This multicenter, parallel, open-label, randomized controlled trial investigated the clinical efficacy of WPS in 126 malnourished CAPD patients with serum albumin <40 g/L and body mass index (BMI) <24 kg/m2. Patients randomized to the intervention group (IG, n = 65) received protein powder (27.4 g) for 6 months plus dietary counseling (DC) while the control group (CG, n = 61) received DC only. Anthropometry, biochemistry, malnutrition-inflammation-score (MIS), dietary intake inclusive of dialysate calories, handgrip strength (HGS) and quality of life (QOL) were assessed at baseline and 6 months. Clinical outcomes were assessed by effect size (Cohen's d) comparisons within and between groups. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients (n = 37 per group) completed the study. Significantly more IG patients (59.5%) achieved dietary protein intake (DPI) adequacy of 1.2 g/kg per ideal body weight (p < 0.001) compared to CG (16.2%) although difference in the adequacy of dietary energy intake between groups was non-significant (p > 0.05). A higher DPI paralleled significant increases in serum urea (mean Δ: IG = +2.39 ± 4.36 mmol/L, p = 0.002, d = 0.57 vs CG = -0.39 ± 4.59 mmol/L, p > 0.05, d = 0.07) and normalized protein catabolic rate, nPCR (mean Δ: IG = +0.11 ± 0.14 g/kg/day, p < 0.001, d = 0.63 vs CG = +0.001 ± 0.17 g/kg/day, p > 0.05, d = 0.09) for IG compared to CG patients. Although not significant, comparison for changes in post-dialysis weight (mean Δ: +0.64 ± 1.16 kg vs +0.02 ± 1.36 kg, p = 0.076, d = 0.58) and mid-arm circumference (mean Δ: +0.29 ± 0.93 cm vs -0.12 ± 0.71 cm, p = 0.079, d = 0.24) indicated trends favoring IG vs CG. Other parameters remained unaffected by treatment comparisons. CG patients had a significant decline in QOL physical component (mean Δ = -6.62 ± 16.63, p = 0.020, d = 0.47). Using changes in nPCR level as a marker of WPS intake within IG, 'positive responders' achieved significant improvement in weight, BMI, skinfold measures and serum urea (all p < 0.05), while such changes within 'negative responders' were non-significant (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: A single macronutrient approach with WPS in malnourished CAPD patients was shown to achieve DPI adequacy and improvements in weight, BMI, skin fold measures, serum urea and nPCR level. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03367000).

Comparative Study on Trace Element Excretions between Nonanuric and Anuric Patients Undergoing Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis.

Few studies have been reported on alterations of trace elements (TE) in peritoneal dialysis patients. Our objective was to investigate and assess the characteristics of daily TE excretions in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients. This cross-sectional study included 61 CAPD patients (nonanuric/anuric: 45/16) and 11 healthy subjects in Wuhan, China between 2013 and 2014. The dialysate and urine of patients and urine of healthy subjects were collected. The concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), and arsenic (As) in dialysate and urine were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). Various clinical variables were obtained from automatic biochemical analyzer. Daily Cu, Zn, Se, and Mo excretions in nonanuric patients were higher than healthy subjects, while arsenic excretion in anuric patients was lower. A strong and positive correlation was observed between Se and Mo excretion in both dialysate (ß = 0.869, p < 0.010) and urine (ß = 0.968, p < 0.010). Furthermore, the clinical variables associated with Se excretion were found to be correlated with Mo excretion. Our findings indicated that nonanuric CAPD patients may suffer from deficiency of some essential TEs, while anuric patients are at risk of arsenic accumulation. A close association between Se and Mo excretion was also found.

The influence of low calcium dialysate on left ventricular diastolic function in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Left ventricular (LV) diastolic function was found to be a significant predictor of cardiovascular events and general mortality in dialysis. Studies have indicated that dialysate calcium concentrations were significantly associated with cardiac function. However, the relationship between low calcium dialysate and LV diastolic function has not been clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of low calcium dialysate on cardiac function in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. A total of 60 PD patients were enrolled in this study, with a calcium content of the PD solution of 1.25 mmol/L in 30 patients (low-calcium group) and 1.75 mmol/L in 30 patients (standard-calcium group). Standard M-mode and two-dimensional ultrasound measurements were applied to detect the cardiac function. After 12-month follow-up, we found no significant difference in blood pressure, calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), etc., between the two groups. Residual renal function (RRF), which is associated with LV cardiac function, was significantly decreased in the standard-calcium group compared with the low-calcium group (5.64 ± 3.23 vs. 9.38 ± 3.17, p = .001). Compared with the low-calcium group, Emax (peak early diastolic velocity) and Amax (peak late diastolic velocity) were significantly decreased (p < .05), whereas myocardial performance index (MPI) was obviously increased in standard-calcium group (9.69 ± 2.71 vs. 7.75 ± 0.93, p < .05). In conclusion, our data suggest that low calcium dialysate treatment is significantly associated with better LV diastolic function.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of spironolactone for hypokalemia in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients.

The incidence of hypokalemia in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients is about 15-60%, leading to significant complications. There is no standard treatment other than potassium supplement in this setting. The aim of this study was to evaluate effect of spironolactone 25 mg/day in CAPD patients who have a history of hypokalemia. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study in CAPD patients who had a history of hypokalemia. Study intervention is 4 weeks of oral spironolactone 25 mg/day or placebo, cross-over after a 2-week wash-out period. The primary outcome was the difference of serum potassium before and after 4 weeks of spironolactone treatment. Serum potassium was measured every 2 weeks, serum magnesium, urine and peritoneal fluid potassium measured before and after each treatment period. We enrolled 24 patients, and 20 completed the cross-over study. Ten patients were anuric. The total doses of potassium supplement were the same during the study period. Serum potassium levels before and after study intervention were not significantly different in both groups (4.23 ± 0.64 vs. 3.90 ± 0.59 mEq/L for spironolactone P = 0.077 and 3.84 ± 0.62 vs. 3.91 ± 0.52 for placebo P = 0.551). Total 24-h potassium, magnesium, sodium excretion, urine volume and ultrafiltration volume were not affected by spironolactone or placebo. There was one episode of hyperkalemia (5.6 mEq/L) during the spironolactone treatment period. Spironolactone 25 mg/day does not have a significant effect on serum potassium or urine and peritoneal excretion rate in CAPD patients who have a history of hypokalemia.

The role of an integrated care model for kidney disease in the development of peritoneal dialysis: a single-center experience in China.

Peritoneal dialysis plays a crucial role in the integrated care of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In this paper, we retrospectively analyzed the quality indicators of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in 712 patients from our center who underwent PD between 2004 and 2011. In 43% of patients, follow-up was undertaken every 3 months at our outpatient department, and 54% patients were followed up by both our hospital and other local hospitals. The patient survival rate at 1, 3 and 5 years was 96.3%, 85.4% and 76.2%, respectively. The technique survival (excludes death/transplantation) at 1, 3 and 5 years was 95.1%, 87.7% and 79.6%, respectively. Fluid overload occurred in 29.2% of patients and was one of the major reasons for discontinuing PD. The peritonitis rate in our center decreased to 0.16 episodes/year in 2011. In addition, since our center is one of the largest integrated-treatment centers for ESRD in China, we have developed a multilevel care program in Zhejiang Province, which resulted in rapid growth of PD in our province in recent years.

L-Carnitine status in end-stage renal disease patients on automated peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Carnitine metabolism in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), particularly automated PD (APD), has not been extensively evaluated. Here, we examined levels of a large number of carnitine species in plasma from adult uremic patients treated with continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) or APD, vetting whether L-carnitine may be used in the solution bag for APD therapy. METHODS: Plasma levels of carnitine and its esters were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry in 14 patients on CAPD (3 × 1.5 % glucose daily and icodextrin overnight), 16 patients on APD (tidal modality), and 8 age- and gender-matched healthy controls. PD groups did not differ with regard to demographic characteristics, renal function, dialysis features, peritoneal function, or biochemistry. In five APD patients, we also examined the safety and efficacy of L-carnitine (5 g) addition to one night-dwell solution bag over five consecutive days. RESULTS: Several abnormalities were found in plasma carnitine species of PD patients as compared to controls, mainly represented by a reduction of free carnitine and an increase in acetyl-carnitine, dicarboxylic and other carnitines. The main carnitine species (free carnitine, acetyl-carnitine) were significantly lower in plasma from APD than CAPD patients. APD patients tolerated L-carnitine supplementation well, laboratory, physical and dialysis parameters proving stable. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma carnitine metabolism is abnormal in patients on PD, and may be influenced by the PD modality. Given the good tolerability and potential advantages of carnitine used in the PD fluid, L-carnitine-containing solution bags in APD treatment definitely merit further evaluation.

Zinc supplementation alters plasma aluminum and selenium status of patients undergoing dialysis: a pilot study.

End stage renal disease patients undergoing long-term dialysis are at risk for abnormal concentrations of certain essential and non-essential trace metals and high oxidative stress. We evaluated the effects of zinc (Zn) supplementation on plasma aluminum (Al) and selenium (Se) concentrations and oxidative stress in chronic dialysis patients. Zn-deficient patients receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis were divided into two groups according to plasma Al concentrations (HA group, Al > 50 g/L; and MA group, Al > 30 to ≤ 50 g/L). All patients received daily oral Zn supplements for two months. Age- and gender-matched healthy individuals did not receive Zn supplement. Clinical variables were assessed before, at one month, and after the supplementation period. Compared with healthy subjects, patients had significantly lower baseline plasma Se concentrations and higher oxidative stress status. After two-month Zn treatment, these patients had higher plasma Zn and Se concentrations, reduced plasma Al concentrations and oxidative stress. Furthermore, increased plasma Zn concentrations were related to the concentrations of Al, Se, oxidative product malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase activities. In conclusion, Zn supplementation ameliorates abnormally high plasma Al concentrations and oxidative stress and improves Se status in long-term dialysis patients.

Oxidative stress in patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and the significant role of vitamin C and E supplementation.

PURPOSE: Chronic renal failure patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) are characterized by increased oxidative stress (OS), which is associated with enhanced cardiovascular risk. Moreover, oxidative stress also contributes to peritoneal membrane changes and ultrafiltration failure. The aim of this study was to evaluate OS in PD patients and the effect of treatment with ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol. METHODS: Plasma, erythrocyte, urine, and peritoneal effluent samples from 20 patients on PD were evaluated for glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, as well as protein carbonyl formation, before and after administration of vitamin C, alone or in combination with vitamin E, in comparison with 10 apparently healthy control individuals. RESULTS: All studied markers showed enhanced OS in the PD group, compared to controls. The supplementation of vitamin C and E resulted in improvements of all the OS markers, as indicated by increased erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes activity and TAC levels, as well as decreased MDA concentration and carbonyl compound formation. CONCLUSIONS: The oral supplementation of antioxidant vitamins C and E, in combination, can lead to decreased OS, thus providing a useful and cost-effective therapeutic option in PD patients.

Association between vitamin C deficiency and dialysis modalities.

AIM: We designed a cross-sectional study to investigate plasma vitamin C level in patients who underwent maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) and continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) to explore whether there is a difference in vitamin C deficiency between MHD patients and CAPD patients. METHODS: This investigation included 382 dialysis patients without vitamin C supplement before the study. Demographic characteristics, laboratory tests, ascorbic acid and total plasma vitamin C level were measured. A linear regression model was built to explore the association between vitamin C deficiency and dialysis modalities after adjusting for age, dialysis vintage, gender, Charlson index, modality of dialysis and hsCRP. RESULTS: The range of plasma vitamin C level was from 0.48 µg/mL to 31.16 µg/mL. 35.9% (n = 137) patients had severe vitamin C deficiency (<2 µg/mL). Plasma vitamin C level was inversely associated with age and dialysis vintage. After age and dialysis vintage were adjusted, vitamin C deficiency was associated with MHD. R square for model fitting was relatively low, which implied that there were other vitamin C influencing factors not included in the model. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin C deficiency is common in dialysis patients, especially in patients treated with MHD.

Close association of vascular and valvular calcification and prognosis of patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

In the present study, we examined the association between vascular and valvular calcification and the prognosis of patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Data were collected from the records of patients introduced onto CAPD therapy during 1999 - 2006 at the Department of Nephrology, Saitama Medical University. At the start of CAPD, cardiac and vascular echography were used to examine 162 patients (average age: 56 +/- 5 years; 58 men, 104 women; 43 with and 119 without diabetes) for evaluation of vascular and valvular calcification. Both vascular and valvular calcification were found in 32 patients. Vascular calcification was found in 16, and valvular calcification in 11. Over 5 years, 11 patients suffered from cardiovascular disease (7 with stroke, 4 with myocardial infarction). All of these patients had vascular or valvular calcification at the start of CAPD therapy. We also used Cox hazard analysis to examine values for Ca, P, Ca x P, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), and lipids. None of these values were independent contributory factors for incidence of cardiovascular disease in patients on CAPD. These data suggest the importance of vascular and valvular echography to evaluate patients on CAPD, especially at the start of CAPD therapy. Vascular and valvular calcification are important factors for determining the prognosis of patients on CAPD.

Differences in corrective mode for divalent ions and parathyroid hormone between standard- and low-calcium dialysate in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis--result of a nationwide survey in Japan.

BACKGROUND: In patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), dialysate calcium concentration has a strong influence on correction of serum calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone (PTH); however, the optimal concentration of Ca in PD solution is still uncertain. The aim of the survey reported here was to evaluate the prevalence of patients treated with standard- [SCD (approximately 3.25 - 4.0 mEq/L)] or low-calcium [LCD (approximately 1.8 - 2.5 mEq/L)] dialysate and differences in the clinical effects for correction of abnormalities in divalent ions and PTH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used a questionnaire to survey 333 peritoneal dialysis facilities nationwide in Japan. Then, we analyzed serum Ca, P, and PTH levels and the prescription rates for CaCO(3) as a P binder and for vitamin D (VitD) analogs. RESULTS: The 2384 CAPD patients enrolled in this analysis had a mean age of 60.5 +/- 14.2 years and a mean duration of CAPD of 44.1 +/- 39.2 months. The prevalences of SCD, LCD, and combination of SCD and LCD were, respectively, 49%, 50%, and 1% at initiation, and 40%, 38%, and 22% at the time of the survey. In 735 and 876 patients respectively, LCD and SCD had been prescribed from initiation to the time of the survey. In these two groups, we observed no difference in initiation and current serum levels of Ca and P. But prescription rates for CaCO(3) and VitD analogs were higher in the LCD group than in the SCD group, and PTH levels were higher in the LCD group than in the SCD group. CONCLUSIONS: A beneficial effect of LCD was revealed in the increased doses of CaCO(3) and VitD analogs seen in that group without the occurrence of hypercalcemia; however, PTH levels in that group were not maintained within an acceptable range. The survey suggests that more serious attention should be paid to the Ca concentration in peritoneal dialysate so as to lessen mineral and PTH disorders in CAPD.

[Diagnostic value of CT peritoneography for non-infectious complications of peritoneal dialysis].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic value of CT peritoneography for peritoneal complications of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). METHODS: CT peritoneography in 11 CAPD patients with clinically suspected dialysis-related complications was prospectively studied. The CAPD patients were all treated in Renji Hospital from 2005 to 2007. CT images were reviewed according to the evidence of peritoneal leaks, hernias, loculate pleural fluid collections, and adhesions. RESULTS: Abnormal findings were found in 9 of 11 CAPD cases including inguinal hernias (3 cases), umbilical hernia (1 case), hydrocele (1 case), leaks in catheter tunnel (2 cases), and peritoneal adhesions (2 cases). Parts of them were confirmed by surgical operation. CONCLUSION: CT peritoneography is useful for the evaluation of complications related to CAPD, and it offers excellent tissue contrast and multiplanar imaging for assessment of the complications.

Low prevalence of hyperphosphatemia independent of residual renal function in peritoneal dialysis patients.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate serum phosphorus control in patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, with and without residual renal function, by investigating the metabolic balance of phosphorus. METHODS: We assessed serum phosphorus levels in 205 patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The clinical factors related to serum phosphorus were also examined, including dietary phosphate intake, dietary protein intake (DPI), phosphate removal through urine and dialysate, doses of phosphorus binder and vitamin D, and serum intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Nutritional indexes, including serum albumin (Alb), lean body mass (LBM), hand-grip strength (HGS), and subjective global assessment (SGA), were also assessed. Dialysis adequacy and residual renal function (RRF) were calculated by a standard technique. Patients with RRF <2 mL/min were viewed as having no significant RRF. Hyperphosphatemia was diagnosed in patients with serum phosphorus levels >1.78 mmol/L. RESULTS: The mean serum phosphorus level of all patients was 1.6 +/- 0.5 mmol/L (mean +/- SD). Only 58 of 205 patients (28%) had hyperphosphatemia. The average DPI was 0.8 +/- 0.3 g/kg/d, whereas the average dietary phosphorus intake was 691 +/- 201 mg/d. There were no differences in mean serum phosphorus levels or incidents of hyperphosphatemia between patients with and without RRF (1.6 +/- 0.4 mmol/L vs. 1.7 +/- 0.5 mmol/L, P = .256; 22% vs. 31%, P = .336). Although total phosphorus removal through urine and dialysate was lower in the 115 patients without RRF than in the 90 patients with RRF (270 +/- 106 mg vs. 333 +/- 129 mg, P = .000), they simultaneously had a lower dietary phosphorus intake (656 +/- 191 mg vs. 713 +/- 215 mg, P = .046). In addition, patients without RRF had significantly lower DPI, Alb, LBM, and right HGS levels than patients with RRF (P < .01-.05). In those without RRF, the 79 patients without hyperphosphatemia had significantly lower DPI, LBM, and HGS levels, and a higher prevalence of malnutrition diagnosed by SGA, than the 36 patients with hyperphosphatemia (P < .001-.05). However, in patients with RRF, there was no difference in nutritional index between patients with and without hyperphosphatemia (P > .05). CONCLUSION: A relatively lower prevalence of hyperphosphatemia existed in CAPD patients both with and without RRF, which may be associated with incremental dialysis, the correct administration of phosphorus binder, and a lower protein and phosphorus intake. However, patients without RRF, especially those without hyperphosphatemia, ran the risk of malnutrition, despite a well-controlled phosphorus intake.

Ciprofloxacin treatment of bacterial peritonitis associated with chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis caused by Neisseria cinerea.

Bacterial peritonitis is a well-recognized complication of chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in patients with end-stage renal failure. We present a case of peritonitis due to an unusual pathogen, Neisseria cinerea, unresponsive to the standard intraperitoneal (i.p.) vancomycin and gentamicin, which responded rapidly to oral ciprofloxacin.

Reversal of adynamic bone disease by lowering of dialysate calcium.

Adynamic bone disease (ABD) is increasingly recognized, especially in dialysis patients treated with oral calcium carbonate, vitamin D supplements, or supraphysiological dialysate calcium. We undertook this study to assess the effect of lowering dialysate calcium on episodes of hypercalcemia, serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels as well as bone turnover. Fifty-one patients treated with peritoneal dialysis and biopsy-proven ABD were randomized to treatment with control calcium, 1.62 mM, or low calcium, 1.0 mM, dialysate calcium over a 16-month period. In the low dialysate calcium group, 14 patients completed the study. This group experienced a decrease in serum total and ionized calcium levels, and an 89% reduction in episodes of hypercalcemia, resulting in a 300% increase in serum PTH values, from 6.0+/-1.6 to 24.9+/-3.6 pM (P<0.0001). Bone formation rates, all initially suppressed, at 18.1+/-5.6 microm2/mm2/day rose to 159+/-59.4 microm2/mm2/day (P<0.05), into the normal range (>108 microm2/mm2/day). In the control group, nine patients completed the study. Their PTH levels did not increase significantly, from 7.3+/-1.6 to 9.4+/-1.5 pM and bone formation rates did not change significantly either, from 13.3+/-7.1 to 40.9+/-11.9 microm2/mm2/day. Lowering of peritoneal dialysate calcium reduced serum calcium levels and hypercalcemic episodes, which resulted in increased PTH levels and normalization of bone turnover in patients with ABD.