Early failure in patients starting peritoneal dialysis: a competing risks approach.

BACKGROUND: Technical failure is more likely to occur in the first 6 months of peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study was carried out to identify risk factors for early transfer from PD to haemodialysis (HD) in a country where assisted PD is available. METHODS: All patients from the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry (RDPLF) who started PD between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2010 were included. Time to transfer, death and transplantation during the first 6 months on PD were analysed by the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model. The Fine and Gray model was used to examine the occurrence of technical failure by considering death and transplantation as competing events. RESULTS: Of 9675 patients included, 615 (6.3%) moved to HD during the first 6 months of PD. Cumulative incidence of transfer to HD was 6.6% at 6 months. On multivariate analysis by both the Cox model and the Fine and Gray model, HD prior to PD, allograft failure and early peritonitis were associated with a higher risk of early technical failure, whereas being dialysed in a centre treating more than 20 new patients per year was associated with a lower risk of early transfer to HD. CONCLUSIONS: Patients treated by HD before PD and failed transplant patients had a higher risk of early PD failure when competing events were considered.

Comparison between on-line high-efficiency hemodiafiltration and conventional high-flux hemodialysis for polyclonal free light chain removal.

BACKGROUND: Polyclonal free light chains (FLC) are considered as middle molecular weight uremic toxins in chronic kidney disease. In this study, we investigate polyclonal FLC removal by comparing conventional high-flux hemodialysis (HD) and online high-efficiency hemodiafiltration (ol-HDF) in end-stage renal disease patients. METHODS: We analyzed 31 chronic dialysis patients who were treated by HD then by postdilution ol-HDF during a prospective study. All patients were anuric and without monoclonal gammopathy. Serum pre- and postdialysis FLC were collected during 4 sessions: 1 HD session and 3 ol-HDF sessions. We calculated the reduction ratio using kinetic modeling. RESULTS: The κ reduction ratio was higher with ol-HDF than with HD (66 ± 14 vs. 52 ± 13%, p < 0.001). However, the λ reduction ratio was not significantly higher with ol-HDF (37 ± 20 vs. 37 ± 15%, p = 0.67). Furthermore, predialysis κ- and λ-FLC increased with ol-HDF compared with HD (κ 155 ± 82 vs. 87 ± 47 mg/l, p < 0.05; λ 101 ± 46 vs. 72 ± 41 mg/l, p < 0.05). Postdialysis FLC levels were raised only for λ-FLC with ol-HDF (74 ± 39 vs. 53 ± 31 mg/l, p < 0.05) and were not significantly different for κ. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that κ-FLC removal is better in ol-HDF compared with HD, whereas there is no difference in λ-FLC removal. Surprisingly, predialysis κ and λ levels are both increased in ol-HDF, which is disturbing since polyclonal excess of λ-FLC is associated with mortality in chronic kidney disease.

Outcome of the sub-optimal dialysis starter on peritoneal dialysis. Report from the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry (RDPLF).

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to examine the association of sub-optimal dialysis initiation of peritoneal dialysis (PD) with all the possible outcomes on PD using survival analysis in the presence of competing risks. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study based on the data of the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry. We analysed 8527 incident patients starting PD between January 2002 and December 2010. The end of the observation period was 01 June 2011. Times from the start of PD to death, transplantation, transfer to haemodialysis (HD) and first peritonitis episode were calculated. The sub-optimal dialysis initiation was defined by a period of <30 days on HD before PD initiation. RESULTS: Among 8527 patients, there were 568 patients who started PD after <30 days on HD. There were 6562 events: 3078 deaths, 2136 transfers to HD, 1348 renal transplantations. When using a Fine and Gray model, sub-optimal dialysis start, early peritonitis and transplant failure were associated with a higher sub-distribution relative hazard of technique failure. There was no association between the sub-optimal dialysis start and the sub-distribution hazard of death or transplantation. In the multivariate analysis using a Fine and Gray regression model, the sub-optimal dialysis start was not associated with a higher sub distribution relative hazard of peritonitis. CONCLUSIONS: Sub-optimal dialysis initiation is neither associated with a higher risk of death nor with a lower risk of renal transplantation. Sub-optimal PD patients had a higher risk of transfer to HD.

Peritoneal dialysis in polycystic kidney disease patients. Report from the French peritoneal dialysis registry (RDPLF).

BACKGROUND: It is commonly believed that polycystic kidney disease (PKD) patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) are over-exposed to technique failure and peritonitis compared with other patients. This study was carried out to assess whether PKD is associated with technique failure and to evaluate the outcome of PKD patients on PD. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study based on the data of the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry. We analysed 4162 incident non-diabetic patients who started PD between January 2002 and December 2007. The end of the observation period was 31 December 2008. RESULTS: Among 4162 patients, there were 344 PKD patients and 3818 patients who had another underlying nephropathy. PKD patients were younger, had a lower Charlson comorbidity index, were more frequently treated by automated PD and were less frequently assisted than other patients. For the PKD patients, the main reason for PD cessation was renal transplantation. In the multivariate analysis, comorbidities and centre size were associated with technique survival, and no association between PKD and technique failure was observed. There was no statistically significant association between PKD and peritonitis or between PKD and enteric peritonitis. On multivariate analysis, patient survival was associated with PKD and with patient age, comorbidities and the modality of assistance. Centre size was not associated with patient survival. CONCLUSION: PD is a suitable method for at least a subgroup of PKD patients reaching end-stage renal disease in a country where renal transplantation is available.

Hydration status of patients with end-stage renal disease after kidney transplantation.

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to estimate the modification of hydration status within the first three months of renal transplantation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty patients who underwent a first kidney allograft were prospectively followed for three months after renal transplantation to assess hydration status by bioimpedance spectroscopy. RESULTS: Two hours before the transplant procedure, 10/42 (23.8%) patients were overhydrated. Two days after surgery, 32/40 (80.0%) patients were overhydrated and at three months, 14/27 (51.9%) patients remained fluid-overloaded. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients had a lower hydration status (-0.60 L) than hemodialysis (HD) patients (0.70 L; p < 0.05) and better residual diuresis (41.7 vs. 8.3 mL/h for HD patients, p < 0.01). Compared with patients who had a delayed graft function (DGF) or a slow graft function (SGF), the immediate graft function (IGF) group had a better hydration status before transplantation (p = 0.031). At three months, 12/14 of the overhydrated patients had a creatinine clearance between 30 and 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) . CONCLUSION: Patients receiving a first kidney transplant frequently have a hydration disorder. Transplantation is associated with increased hydration status, which seems to persist if DGF or SGF occurs.

Impact of pre-transplant dialysis modality on post-transplant diabetes mellitus after kidney transplantation.

Post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is a well-known complication in renal transplant recipients (RTRs). While a number of risk factors for PTDM have been identified, the potential impact of pre-transplant dialysis modality on subsequent development of PTDM has not yet been explored. We performed a multicenter retrospective study on 2010 consecutive RTRs who did not have a history of diabetes prior to renal transplantation. PTDM was defined as a need for anti-diabetic therapy in an RTR without a history of diabetes prior to transplantation. Analysis of the risk factors for development of PTDM was performed with respect to pre-transplant dialysis modality. A total of 137 (6.8%) patients developed PTDM; 7% in the hemodialysis group and 6.5% in the peritoneal dialysis (PD) group (p = 0.85). In the multivariate analysis, age (p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), use of tacrolimus (p = 0.002), and rejection episodes (p < 0.001) were identified as independent risk factors for development of PTDM. Patients in the PD group were younger (p = 0.004), had lower BMI (p = 0.07), and were less likely to have a history of hepatitis C (p = 0.007) and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (p = 0.07). Adjustment for these variables did not modify the results. The results of this study suggest that pre-transplant dialysis modality does not have an impact on the subsequent development of PTDM in RTRs.

Peritonitis-free survival in peritoneal dialysis: an update taking competing risks into account.

BACKGROUND: Peritonitis-free survival is commonly reported in the peritoneal dialysis (PD) literature. The Kaplan-Meier method appears to be the only technique used to date, although it has known limitations for cohorts with multiple outcomes, as in PD. In the presence of these 'competing risks' outcomes, the Kaplan-Meier estimate is interpretable only under restrictive assumptions. In contrast, methods which take competing risks into account provide unbiased estimates of probabilities of outcomes as actually experienced by patients. METHODS: We analysed peritonitis-free survival in a cohort of 8711 incident patients from the 'Registre de Dialyse Péritonéale de Langue Française' between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2007 by calculating the cumulative incidence (CI) of the first episode of peritonitis using the Kaplan-Meier method and a method accounting for competing risks. We compared the CI in different patient groups by the log-rank test and a test developed for competing risk data, Gray's test. RESULTS: After 5 years of PD, the CI of at least one peritonitis episode was 0.4, and the probability of any outcome was 0.96. The Kaplan-Meier method overestimated the CI by a large amount. Compared with the log-rank test, Gray's test led to different conclusions in three out of seven comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: The competing risk approach shows that the CI of at least one peritonitis episode was lower than reported by the Kaplan-Meier method but that survival peritonitis-free and still on PD was overall low. The competing risk approach provides estimates which have a clearer interpretation than Kaplan-Meier methods and could be more widely used in PD research.

Peritoneal dialysis in elderly patients: report from the French Peritoneal Dialysis Registry (RDPLF).

BACKGROUND: The number of elderly patients starting dialysis is increasing in developed countries. Older age is frequently associated with contraindication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of this study was to report the outcome of elderly patients on PD in a country where assisted PD is available. METHODS: This was a retrospective study based on the data of the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry (RDPLF). We retrospectively analysed 1613 patients older than 75 years who started PD between January 2000 and December 2005. The end of the observation period was 31 December 2007. RESULTS: The mean age at dialysis initiation was 81.9 years; 545 patients had a Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) >9. Of these 1613 patients, 1435 were treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and 1232 were on assisted PD. The median patient survival was 27.1 months. In the multivariate analysis, patient survival was associated with sex, age, modified CCI, method of assistance and underlying nephropathy. The median pure technique survival was 21.4 months. In the Cox model, technique survival was associated with the modified CCI, but the association did not remain significant after adjustment for the centre size. The median survival free of peritonitis was 32.1 months. Neither the modality of assistance nor the centre size was associated with peritonitis risk. CONCLUSION: PD is a suitable method for elderly patients. In order to increase the rate of PD utilization in elderly patients, the need for the funding of assisted peritoneal dialysis has to be taken into account.

Regional discrepancies in peritoneal dialysis utilization in France: the role of the nephrologist's opinion about peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is underused in France compared with other countries. In addition, there are tremendous regional discrepancies concerning the utilization rate of PD. This study was carried out to evaluate the opinion of French nephrologists regarding the optimal rate of PD utilization and to determine which factors limit PD development in France. METHODS: Of the 22 French regions, 2 regions with a high rate of PD utilization (prevalence >15%) and 3 regions with a low rate of PD utilization (prevalence <10%) were selected. In June 2007, nephrologists from the five regions were surveyed by questionnaire. Responses were compared between 'low-prevalence' and 'high-prevalence' groups. RESULTS: The response rate was 70% and there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the response rate. In the two groups, a majority of nephrologists were in charge of PD patients (30/34 in 'high-prevalence' group versus 61/80 in 'low-prevalence' group, P = 0.14). Information about PD in the predialysis clinics was provided by nephrologists from high- and low-prevalence regions (32/34 versus 65/80, P = 0.08). Opinions on the optimal rate of PD for prevalent and incident dialysis patients were significantly different between 'high-prevalence' and 'low-prevalence' groups [31 +/- 15% versus 25 +/- 14% (P < 0.03) and 25 +/- 14% versus 19 +/- 9% (P < 0.02)]. There was a significant difference concerning the optimal rate of PD in incident dialysis patients between nephrologists working in public centres (29 +/- 15%), those working in non- profit clinics (27 +/- 12%) and nephrologists working in the private sector (14 +/- 8%). Lack of nurses available for the patient care (48%), low reimbursement of PD (25%), limited training (23%) and hospital care facilities (23%) were the main barriers limiting PD utilization. CONCLUSIONS: In France, like in other countries, there are factors limiting PD development; however, regional discrepancies regarding PD utilization seem to be linked to the nephrologist's opinion.

[Failed transplant patients: dialysis initiation and short-term outcome]. / Dialyse après échec de transplantation. Conditions de prise en charge initiale et évolution à court terme.

UNLABELLED: This study was carried out to evaluate dialysis initiation of failed transplant patient and the short-term outcome of these patients on dialysis. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We conducted a retrospective study of transplanted patients from one centre returning in dialysis after allograft failure. Those patients were transplanted between 31st October 1986 and 3rd March 2004. Patients who experienced allograft failure after 6 months on transplantation were included in the study. RESULTS: Among 600 transplanted patients, 92 patients restarted dialysis after allograft failure. Of the 92 failed transplant patients, 69 had a graft survival of more than 6 months. The mean glomerular filtration rate at dialysis initiation was 13+/-5mL per minute. At time of dialysis initiation, patients had mean haemoglobin level at 80.7+/-10.7g/L, and mean serum albumin level at 34+/-6g/L. Urgent dialysis was needed for 39 over 57 patients. Fourteen over 58 patients had no vascular access or peritoneal catheter at dialysis initiation. Fifty-six over 69 patients were treated by haemodialysis. Of the 13 patients treated by peritoneal dialysis 7 were on PD before transplantation whereas 49 over 57 haemodialysis patients were treated by haemodialysis before transplant failure (p<0.05). Immunosuppressive therapy was stopped during the first year following transplantation failure in 52 over 69 patients and 36 over 69 patients underwent transplantectomy. Thirteen over 56 patients presented a least one cardiovascular events after transplantation failure. CONCLUSION: Unplanned dialysis initiation is frequent in failed transplant patients, in whom an early dialysis start is probably mandatory.

[Position statements regarding usage of biosimilars of Epoetins. Position paper of the Société de néphrologie, Société francophone de dialyse, and Société de néphrologie pédiatrique]. / Recommandations d'utilisation des biosimilaires de l'érythropoïétine (EPO). Propositions de la Société de néphrologie, de la Société francophone de dialyse et de la Société de néphrologie pédiatrique.

The European patents for epoetin alpha recently expired. Biosimilars (i.e. "a medicine which is similar to a biological medicine that has already been authorized" [EMEA 2007]) of epoetins have thus been released on the market in Europe. Because of the complexity of the processes that are required to produce medicinal products containing biotechnology-derived proteins as active substances and to characterize the physicochemical properties of these compounds, the guidelines that have been developed for generic drugs cannot be used for approval of biosimilar products. The EMEA guidelines do not answer all questions that have been raised for the development of biosimilars, and in some cases, decisions will have to be taken at a national level. This is why the Society of Nephrology (Société de néphrologie), the French-speaking Society of Dialysis (Société francophone de dialyse) and the Pediatric Society of Nephrology (Société de néphrologie pédiatrique) established guidelines for the usage of biosimilar epoetins concerning approval, identification, substitution of an innovator drug, post-marketing surveillance, extension of indication and pharmacovigilance plan.

Is rapid initiation of peritoneal dialysis feasible in unplanned dialysis patients? A single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND: Starting dialysis in an unplanned manner is a frequent situation in a dialysis centre even for patients with a regular nephrology follow-up. For no clear reason, chronic haemodialysis (HD) is more frequently used than peritoneal dialysis for unplanned dialysis patients. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of a dialysis policy dedicated to unplanned dialysis patients. The aim of this policy was to increase the use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in an attempt to reduce the need for tunnelled catheter. METHODS: One hundred seventy-one patients from a single centre, who started dialysis between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2006, were prospectively followed until 31 December 2006. Unplanned dialysis patients were defined as patients entering in dialysis with no vascular access or peritoneal dialysis catheter. PD was presented as a modality of choice for renal replacement therapy to avoid the need for a tunnelled HD catheter. RESULTS: There were 60 unplanned dialysis patients during the study period. Among these patients, 34 agreed to be treated by PD. Compared with unplanned peritoneal dialysis patients, unplanned haemodialysis patients had a greater modified Charlson's comorbidity index (5.9 +/- 2.4 versus 4.4 +/- 1.9, P < 0.05). The mean duration of the temporary catheter period was 32 +/- 29 days (median: 24 days) for haemodialysis patients compared with 26 +/- 21 days (median: 25 days) for peritoneal dialysis patients (P = NS). The initial hospitalization duration was similar in haemodialysis patients and peritoneal dialysis patients (24 +/- 28 versus 30 +/- 33 days; median value: 17 versus 20 days, P = NS). PD was started 8.6 +/- 10 days (median: 4 days) after catheter insertion. A tunnelled catheter was used only in three patients until peritoneal dialysis was initiated. Acute automated peritoneal dialysis was used in 19 patients. Among 26 haemodialysis patients, 23 were dialyzed through a tunnelled catheter. Of these 23 patients, 15 were successfully converted to fistula. Median time for fistula creation was 2.6 months after dialysis initiation; median time for fistula utilization was 4.4 months. Actuarial patients survival at 1 year was 79% on haemodialysis compared with 83% on peritoneal dialysis (P = NS). After adjustment of the initial modified Charlson's comorbidity index, dialysis modality had no impact on patient's survival. There was no significant difference between haemodialysis patients and peritoneal dialysis patients regarding survival free of re-hospitalization. Actuarial survival free of peritonitis was 73% at 6 months and 58% at 1 year. CONCLUSION: Peritoneal dialysis is a safe and efficient alternative to haemodialysis for unplanned dialysis patients. Peritoneal dialysis offers the advantage of reducing the need for tunnelled catheter in unplanned dialysis patients.

Variability in case mix and peritoneal dialysis selection in fifty-nine French districts.

In France, the use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) as the first-choice treatment varies greatly between districts, as it is already known to do between countries. Baseline clinical factors associated with choice of first modality were analyzed in 10 815 new end-stage renal disease patients in 59 districts. To describe practices at the district level, we used an agglomerative hierarchical classification, with proximity defined by a likelihood-ratio test that compared multivariate logistic regressions of the following factors: age, gender, diabetes, congestive heart failure, severe behavioral disorders, mobility, and employment. To propose a typology, each cluster of districts was described by a multivariate logistic regression. While populations starting PD in France, as elsewhere, are more likely to be young or employed, they are also more likely to be elderly or have congestive heart failure or severe behavioral disorders. Overall, 14% of patients start with PD, but this rate varies significantly across districts, from 0% to 45%. A specific combination of factors was associated with the first-choice modality in each group of districts. This study highlights the lack of consensual medical criteria for this choice and the likelihood that nonmedical factors may explain the observed differences. The high variability suggests that PD can be used in almost all clinical conditions. Accordingly, patient preference should play a more important role in the decision-making process.

[Peritoneal access: the nephrologist's viewpoint]. / L'accès péritonéal : le point de vue du néphrologue.

The frequency of transfers from peritoneal dialysis to haemodialysis secondary to the catheter-related complications has been estimated between eight to 20% depending the countries. Therefore, it is recommended that the insertion of peritoneal dialysis catheters be made by competent and experienced operators. Indeed, despite the development of new insertion techniques and the availability of new sophisticated catheters, the major prognostic factor remains the quality of the surgical procedure and the postoperative care. As regards the choice between various catheters, there is no consensus for the superiority of one in comparison with others. However it should be noted that a catheter survival rate from 80 to 90% at one year is a recognized index of quality.

[Rifampicin-protamine sulfate solution in dialysis patients]. / Prévention des infections liées au cathéter en dialyse: validation pharmaceutique de la solution rifampicine-sulfate de protamine.

Bacteria from the exit site of dialysis catheter can grow into microcolonies in biofilm. It has been hypothesized that rifampin-protamine combination may have an effect on the biofilm. In hemodialysis centre a combination of rifampin mixed with protamine is commonly used in some centre in order to prevent catheter related infections in hemodialysis patients. Therefore, a pharmaceutical assessment of the rifampin-protamine mixture is clearly mandatory. The aim of this study is to evaluate the stability and the sterility of the rifampin-protamine solution. Five milliliters of protamine (10 mg) was mixed with 10 mL of Rifampin (600 mg). The solution was kept at -20 degrees C temperature for two weeks and subsequently at 4 degrees C for two additional weeks. Stability and sterility were evaluated the first day and two weeks, three weeks and four weeks after the preparation. Concentration of rifampin in the solution was assessed by HPLC. Protamine concentration was evaluated by the effect of the solution on the heparin activity of a heparinized plasma. The solution was cultured on broth media and mannitol agar plate. Areas under curve of rifampin were similar between the four different evaluations. The effect of the solution on the heparin activity was comparable at the four different evaluations. Our results demonstrate the stability and the compatibility of the solution. However, there was biological interference between broth media and the solution. It was, therefore, impossible to make any conclusion after broth culture. Culture on mannitol agar plate did not show any microbiological growth. Based on this finding, we recommend preparing the rifampin-protamine combination in individual conditioning at the time of the utilization.

[Fatigue in elderly patients on dialysis]. / La fatigue des sujets âgés traités par épuration extrarénale.

UNLABELLED: Fatigue is a common symptom in dialysis patients. This study was carried out to evaluate the impact of the dialysis modality on the fatigue of dialysis patients. PATIENTS AND METHOD: This was a cross-sectional study of dialysis patients older than 70 years treated by haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis for more than three months during June 2006 in one dialysis centre. Fatigue was assessed by the multidimensional fatigue inventory questionnaire (MFI) in 33 dialysis patients. Patients with a MMSE of less than 22 were excluded from the study. There was also a control group of 21 patients without chronic disease. RESULTS: Dialysis patients had a greater fatigue score than nondialysis patients for the five fatigue dimensions (general fatigue score: 14+/-3 versus 10.8+/-4, p<0.01). The were no significant difference between haemodialysis patients (17) and peritoneal dialysis patients (16) regarding the mean age (77+/-5 versus 77+/-5), the mean modified Charlson index (6.3+/-2.5 versus 6.3+/-2.4), the mean MMSE (26+/-2 versus 25+/-2), the mean Activity of Daily Living score (5.6+/-0.8 versus 5.3+/-1) and the mean Geriatric Depression Score (0.7+/-0.9 versus 1+/-1). Duration on dialysis was not different between the two groups (28+/-18 versus. 49+/-52 months). Haemoglobin (12+/-1 versus 12+/-1g/dl), parathormone (227+/-140 versus 324+/-269 ng/l) and CRP blood level were similar between the two groups (13+/-13 versus 10+/-9 mg/l). Peritoneal dialysis patients had a lower serum albumin level than haemodialysis patient (32+/-6 versus 38+/-8, p<0.05). Peritoneal dialysis patients had a lower psychic fatigue score than haemodialysis patients (9+/-3.5 versus 11.6+/-3, p<0.05). Patients with a CRP level greater than 5mg/l had a greater general fatigue score compared with other patients (14.5+/-3 versus 12+/-3, p<0.05). In addition patients with a modified Charlson index above 5 had a greater physical fatigue score than other patients (15+/-3 versus 12.6+/-4, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fatigue score are high in elderly dialysis compared with nondialysis patients. Dialysis modality may have an impact on the fatigue of dialysis patients. Inflammation and comorbidities play a role in the dialysis fatigue.

[Peritoneal dialysis, a first-line treatment?] / La dialyse péritonéale, un traitement de première intention ?

The number of patients heading towards the terminal stage of their chronic kidney disease, for the first time or after the failure of a kidney transplant, is constantly growing, requiring the use of renal replacement therapy. Nowadays, peritoneal dialysis can be given as a first-line treatment for most patients, in the same way as haemodialysis. It allows patients to remain at home or in their care facility, with the help of a private practice nurse when needed. Complications can be quickly detected and resolved. In the event of failure, the switch to haemodialysis is usually possible.

[News in peritoneal dialysis]. / Actualités en dialyse péritonéale.

Peritoneal dialysis, like hemodialysis, is a first-line therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease. Progress in medical devices and materials has reduced infectious complications such as peritonitis and catheter exit-site infections and thus decreased morbidity. Peritoneal dialysis fluids are increasingly biocompatible, result in fewer glucose degradation products, protect the peritoneal membrane better and thus improve tolerance. The maintenance of residual renal function, together with better comfort and no pain, help control the fluid and sodium balance. Automated peritoneal dialysis can be performed each night, either autonomously or assisted by a visiting nurse twice a day (to prepare, connect, and disconnect the machine). This treatment can thus be provided to most patients, regardless of their age. Peritoneal dialysis is indicated principally for young people waiting for a kidney transplantation (to preserve their vascular network), elderly patients who wish to remain either at home or in an institution, and patients with cardiac insufficiency, because of the better hemodynamic tolerance. Numerous obstacles, mainly nonmedical, still impede the development of peritoneal dialysis. Patients seen in emergencies start hemodialysis without necessarily receiving any information about peritoneal dialysis. Indeed, neither physicians nor patients receive adequate information.

[RDPLF and Rein, 2 complementary registries: a comparison of the collected data]. / RDPLF et Rein, deux registres complémentaires: comparaison des données recueillies.

The 2 registries RDPLF and Rein are information systems concerning the treatment of end-stage renal disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the representativeness and exhaustivity of the recorded cases as well as the accuracy of the informations in the 2 registries. Were included 375 adults, who started a first ESRD treatment between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2003 in 7 French regions and were treated by peritoneal dialysis (PD) on the first day of the 4th month of ESRD treatment. 264 patients were identified found in both registries. Age, body mass index and albuminemia didn't differ significantly. The mean haemoglobin level was higher in RDPLF. There was a good concordance on sex, diabetes status but less so on primary renal disease and PD modalities. There were significant discrepancies between the two registries on the date of the first treatment. The analysis of outcomes (transplantation or death) showed 8 discrepancies related to the lack of recording of the event in one of the 2 registries. The good global agreement observed between Rein and RDPLF for the common data emphasizes the fiability and representativeness of the 2 structures and the synergy of their activities for a best evaluation of the quality of peritoneal dialysis. This study shows the necessity of a common patient identification that will allow us to maintain a good complementarity between the 2 registries and will favour common studies.