Análisis de fragilidad y riesgo de peritonitis en pacientes ancianos en diálisis peritoneal / Analysis of fragility and risk of peritonitis in elderly patients on peritoneal dialysis

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los pacientes ancianos en diálisis peritoneal tienen mayor riesgo de presentar fragilidad, pérdida de autonomía, comorbilidad y disminución de calidad de vida. OBJETIVO: evaluar la fragilidad, dependencia, depresión y calidad de vida, analizando la repercusión de la fragilidad sobre el tiempo de aprendizaje de la técnica y la aparición del primer episodio de peritonitis. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: estudio descriptivo retrospectivo. Se incluyeron pacientes mayores de 70 años, desde septiembre 2016 a 2017, las peritonitis hasta final de 2018. Se estudiaron variables demográficas, modalidad dialítica, índices de Charlson, Barthel y escala de depresión de Yesavage Escala de fragilidad clínica, calidad de vida, tiempo de entrenamiento y primera peritonitis. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 25 pacientes, 56% hombres, edad media 76,77±5,34 años, el 72% estaban en diálisis peritoneal manual. La media del Charlson 7,88±2,06, del Barthel 88,27±24,66 y del Short form 12 health survey 32,96±8,61. El 40% tenían algún grado de fragilidad, 24% depresión, el 28% precisaban ayuda o estaban institucionalizados. Tiempo medio de entrenamiento en pacientes frágiles fue 16,77±7,93 horas vs no frágiles 15,20±5,06 (p = 0,42). Se recogieron 16 episodios de peritonitis, repartidos al 50%, tiempo medio de aparición frágiles 315,13±212,73 días vs no frágiles 320,25±224,91 (p = 0,44). CONCLUSIONES: La mayoría de los pacientes realizan diálisis peritoneal manual de forma autónoma. Tienen un nivel de fragilidad bajo, no presentan depresión y gozan de buena calidad de vida para su edad. No existe diferencia en el tiempo de aprendizaje entre los dos grupos. Las peritonitis se reparten al 50% en frágiles y no frágiles

INTRODUCTION: Elderly patients on peritoneal dialysis have a higher risk of presenting fragility, loss of autonomy, comorbidity and decreased quality of life. OBJECTIVE: To assess frailty, dependency, depression and quality of life, analysing the repercussion of frailty on the learning time of the technique and the appearance of the first episode of peritonitis. MATERIAL AND METHOD: descriptive retrospective study. Patients older than 70 years were included, from September 2016 to 2017, episodes of peritonitis until the end of 2018. Demographic variables, dialysis modality, Charlson index, Barthel index, Yesavage geriatric depression scale, clinical fragility scale, quality of life scale, training time and first peritonitis were collected. RESULTS: 25 patients were included, 56% men, mean age 76.77±5.34 years, 72% were on manual peritoneal dialysis. The mean value for the Charlson index was 7.88±2.06, for Barthel index 88.27±24.66 and for the Short form 12 health survey 32.96±8.61. 40% had some degree of frailty, 24% depression, 28% needed help or were institutionalized. Average training time in fragile patients was 16.77±7.93 hours versus non-fragile 15.20±5.06 (p = 0.42). 16 episodes of peritonitis were collected, distributed to 50% between both groups. The mean time of appearance of fragile people was 315.13±212.73 days versus 320.25±224.91 days for non-fragile ones (p = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients perform manual peritoneal dialysis autonomously. They have low frailty levels, no depression and enjoy a good quality of life for their age. There is no difference in learning time between the two groups. Peritonitis is equally distributed in fragile and non-fragile patients

Meconium Peritonitis: A Case Study.

Meconium peritonitis is a sterile chemical peritonitis preceded by bowel perforation, resulting in meconium leakage and subsequent inflammatory cascade within the peritoneal cavity. The presentation can range from simple failure of the neonate to pass meconium to complications such as persistent pulmonary hypertension, lung hypoplasia, and systemic inflammatory syndrome. The purpose of this article is to review a case of meconium peritonitis while considering its etiology, diagnosis, management, and multidisciplinary team care.

La transferencia a hemodiálisis tras una peritonitis fúngica. ¿Es la opción definitiva? / Transfer to hemodialysis after a fungal peritonitis. Is it the definitive choice?

No disponible

Efluente peritoneal turbio sin peritonitis en pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca refractaria en programa de ultrafiltración peritoneal / Cloudy peritoneal effluent without peritonitis in patients with refractory heart failure undergoing peritoneal ultrafiltration

En los pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca refractaria en programa de ultrafiltración peritoneal no es infrecuente la presencia de líquido turbio en ausencia de otros criterios de infección peritoneal. El objetivo del estudio fue analizar si la presencia de drenado peritoneal turbio se corresponde con la presencia de infección peritoneal. Se realizó un estudio observacional prospectivo entre Diciembre de 2014 y Marzo de 2015, en el que se incluyeron pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca refractaria. Se analizaron 4 muestras de cada paciente, separadas por 15 días, de forma programada. Los cultivos bacteriológicos se realizaron en las muestras que presentaban un recuento leucocitario superior a 100 leucocitos/μl. Se recogieron datos epidemiológicos y clínicos de los pacientes, como la patología de base responsable de la insuficiencia cardiaca y las proteínas presentes en el efluente peritoneal. Se evaluaron 13 pacientes, 77% varones, edad media de 71±8 años. Se recogieron un total de 51 muestras; de ellas, en 5 muestras (9.8%) procedentes de 4 pacientes (31% del total de pacientes), el efluente peritoneal era turbio. En 2 de ellos el recuento leucocitario fue inferior a 100 leucocitos/μl mientras que en los otros 2 pacientes el recuento fue superior, con polimorfonucleares por debajo del 50% y cultivos sin crecimiento bacteriano. No hubo relación entre la celularidad y las enfermedades de base. Consideramos que la presencia de turbidez en el efluente peritoneal de los pacientes con Insuficiencia Cardiaca no siempre se corresponde con la existencia de infección peritoneal (AU)

In patients with refractory heart failure undergoing peritoneal ultrafiltration it is not uncommon for the presence of turbid liquid in the absence of other criteria of peritoneal infection. The aim of the study was to analyze whether the presence of peritoneal drainage cloudy corresponds to the presence of peritoneal infection. A prospective observational study between December 2014 and March 2015 was performed, which included patients with refractory heart failure. They analyzed 4 samples of each patient, separated by 15 days, programmatically. Bacterial cultures were performed on samples that had a white blood cell count above 100 cells/μl. Epidemiological and clinical data of patients, as the pathology of heart failure responsible base and the proteins present in the peritoneal effluent were collected. 13 patients, 77 % male, mean age 71 ± 8 years were evaluated. A total of 51 samples were collected; of then, 5 samples (9.8 %) from 4 patients (31 % of all patients), peritoneal effluent was cloudy. In 2 of then the white blood cell count was less than 100 cells/μl. whereas in the other 2 patients the count was higher, with polymorfonuclear below 50% and no growth crops. There was no relationship between the cellularity and the underlying diseases. We believe that the presence of turbidity in the peritoneal effluent of patients with heart failure not correspond to the existence of peritoneal infection (AU)

Utilidad de las tiras reactivas multistix 10 SG(R) en el diagnóstico de peritonitis en diálisis peritoneal / Utility of the Multistix 10 SG (R) reagent strips in the diagnosis of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis

Introducción: La infección peritoneal es una complicación frecuente en diálisis peritoneal, que condiciona una importante morbimortalidad. Habitualmente el diagnóstico se establece mediante signos y síntomas clínicos, efluente turbio y cultivo positivo. En ocasiones los síntomas son poco evidentes, el recuento leucocitario puede no estar disponible y el cultivo se demora varios días. Por otro lado se sabe que el inicio precoz del tratamiento antibiótico aumenta la eficacia y favorece la resolución de los episodios de infección peritoneal. Objetivo: Estudiar la capacidad diagnóstica de las tiras reactivas Multistix 10 SG Siemens® en la determinación de peritonitis en pacientes en diálisis peritoneal. Material y métodos: Estudio observacional prospectivo donde se analizaron muestras de líquido peritoneal efluente de pacientes prevalentes en diálisis peritoneal, durante seis meses. Se tomó como criterio de peritonitis la presencia de más de 100 Leucocitos (L)/ μl y más de 50% de ellos polimorfonucleares. Las muestras de líquido peritoneal efluente fueron obtenidas después de permanencias mínimas de dos horas y volumen mínimo de 1500 cc. Todas las muestras se analizaron usando tiras reactivas de Multistix ® 10 SG Siemens durante 2 minutos, anotando el observador el resultado de acuerdo a la escala cromática (valor 0= 0-15 L/μl, valor 1= 16-70 L/μl, valor 2=71-125 L/μl y valor 3=126-500 L/μl) y se compararon con las enviadas al laboratorio de nuestro hospital para el recuento manual de leucocitos. Se recogieron otras variables clínicas y epidemiológicas. Resultados: Se analizaron 111 muestras de efluente peritoneal. Detectándose infección peritoneal en 28 muestras (25.2%). No se observaron diferencias significativas entre infectados y no infectados por razón de edad, sexo, diabetes ni número de peritonitis anteriores. El 68 % de los pacientes infectados declararon sufrir dolor. El 73% de las muestras con infección presentaron líquido turbio. En relación al resultado del Multistix, y considerando infección un valor por encima de 1, encontramos una sensibilidad del 100% y una especificidad del 95.2%. Si el punto de corte se toma en el valor 2 encontramos una sensibilidad del 96,4% y una especificidad del 100%. Conclusiones: La utilización de las tiras Multistix® 10 SG Siemens como prueba diagnóstica para la detección de infección peritoneal, tiene una validez excelente, pudiendo sustituir al recuento manual de leucocitos (AU)

Introduction: Peritoneal infection is a common com- plication in peritoneal dialysis, which determined a significant morbidity and mortality. Usually the diagnosis is established by clinical signs and symptoms, cloudy effluent and positive culture. Sometimes the symptoms are not evident, the leukocyte count may not be available and culture takes several days. On the other hand it is known that early antibiotic therapy increases effectiveness and promotes the resolution of the episodes of peritoneal infection. Objective: Study the diagnostic capacity of Siemens Multistix 10 SG® reagent strips in determining peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis. Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out. Samples of peritoneal fluid effluent from prevalent patients on peritoneal dialysis were analyzed for six months. It was taken as the criterion of peritonitis, the presence of more than 100 leukocytes (L)/ μl and over 50% of these polymorphs. Samples of peritoneal fluid effluent were obtained after two-hours minimum stays and minimum volume of 1500 cc. All samples were analyzed using Siemens Multistix 10 SG® reagent strips for 2 minutes, scoring the observer the result according to the chromatic scale (value 0 = 0-15 L / μl; value 1 = 16-70 L / μl; value 2 = 71-125 L / μl; and value 3 = 126-500 L / μl) and compared to those sent to the hospital laboratory for manual leukocyte count. Other clinical and epidemiological variables were collected. Results: 111 samples of peritoneal dialysis were analyzed. Peritoneal infection were detected in 28 samples (25.2%). No significant differences between infected and uninfected by reason of age, sex, diabetes or number of previous peritonitis were observed. 68% of infected patients reported suffering from pain. In those infected samples, 73% presented cloudy fluid. In relation to the result of Multistix and considering infection a value greater than 1, we found a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 95.2%. If the cut point is taken in the value 2 we found a sensitivity of 96.4% and a specificity of 100%. Conclusions: The use Siemens Multistix 10 SG® reagent strips as a diagnostic test for the detection of peritoneal infection has excellent validity and could replace the manual leukocyte count (AU)

Lack of motivation: a new modifiable risk factor for peritonitis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis?

AIM: Can we identify modifiable risk factors for peritonitis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD)? We aimed to determine whether housing standard, PD exchange technique or patient motivation might be modifiable risks for peritonitis. We also explored the relationship between lack of motivation and depression. METHODS: Nurse home visits assessed PD exchange technique, environment and patient motivation. Motivation scores were correlated separately with an Apathy Evaluation Score and a depression score using PHQ-9 questionnaires. RESULTS: Home hygiene, exchange technique and motivation were above average in 53%, 56% and 60%, respectively in 104 patients undergoing PD. After 15 months, 25.9% patients developed peritonitis but nurses' ratings of homes and exchange techniques were not predictive. Low patient motivation was predictive. Patients rated to have above or below median motivation had significantly different Apathy Scores (p = 0.0002). Unmotivated depressed patients were significantly more likely to develop peritonitis compared to motivated depressed patients. CONCLUSION: Lack of motivation predicted peritonitis particularly if associated with depression. Further studies are required focusing on specific motivation scoring schemes and the psychosocial support that might lead to better outcomes.

Management of patients with complications of cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis results from repeated hepatocellular injury over time, leading to portal hypertension and the development of ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and varices. Despite improvements in medical care for patients with cirrhosis, mortality from infection, renal failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma remain high.

Efectividad clínica en el cuidado del orificio de salida del catéter peritoneal / Clinical effectiveness in peritoneal catheter exit orifice care

Existe una gran variedad de procedimientos y métodos, seguidos por los profesionales para realizar las curas y el cuidado del orificio de salida del catéter peritoneal. Averiguamos que todos ellos eran fundamentados y con resultados efectivos. Pero, nos preguntamos, ¿Cuál de entre ellos sería el más adecuado utilizar en nuestra unidad? Optamos por utilizar las recomendaciones de la literatura científica, incluyendo variables como las necesidades específicas de cada paciente, según las condiciones medioambientales de nuestra comunidad y las estaciones del año. El objetivo principal de nuestro estudio fue evaluar la validez y efectividad del protocolo que establecimos para nuestros pacientes. Realizamos un estudio epidemiológico descriptivo y longitudinal de 2 años y 8 meses de duración. Calculamos la tasa de incidencia de infecciones del orificio de salida del catéter y de peritonitis por paciente y para cada uno de los años de estudio (2008-2009- 2010). Evaluamos los resultados comparándolos con los índices de normalidad marcados por la Sociedad Española de Nefrología, en el año 2007. Desglosamos el total de infecciones según estaciones y calculamos el porcentaje. Diferenciamos entre las infecciones provocadas por bacterias gram+ y aquellas producidas por bacterias gram-. Los resultados obtenidos revelaron que nuestro protocolo es válido y adecuado para nuestros pacientes, obteniendo una tasa de incidencia global de peritonitis de 0.72 por cada 24 paciente-mes y una tasa de infección del orificio de salida de 0.61 paciente-año, ambas por debajo del estándar establecido por la Sociedad Española de Nefrología (2007). Se demostró una mayor incidencia de infecciones en el periodo estival, concretamente el 46%. La clorhexidina al 1% abarca la cobertura de las bacterias gram+, bacterias gram-, esporas, virus y hongos pero se comprueba su mayor efectividad con los microorganismos gram+ (AU)

There is a great variety of procedures and methods followed by the professionals who provide peritoneal catheter exit orifice care. We found that all of them had a sound basis and showed effective results. However, we asked ourselves which of them would be the most suitable to use in our unit. We opted to use the recommendations of scientific literature, including variables such as the specific needs of each patient, according to the environmental conditions of our community and the seasons of the year. The main objective of our study was to assess the validity and effectiveness of the protocol we had established for our patients. We carried out a descriptive and longitudinal epidemiological study lasting 2 years and 8 months. We calculated the incidence rate of catheter exit orifice infections and peritonitis per patient and for each of the years of the study (2008-2009-2010). We assessed the result by comparing them with the normality indices set by the Spanish Nephrology Association, in 2007. We broke down the total of infections according to seasons and calculated the percentage. We differentiated between infections caused by gram + and gram - bacteria. The results obtained showed that our protocol is valid and suitable for our patients, obtaining an overall peritonitis incidence rate of 0.72 for every 24 patient-months and an exit orifice infection rate of 0.61 patient-years, both of which are lower than the standard established by the Spanish Nephrology Association (2007). A higher incidence of infections was found in the summer period, specifically 46%. 1% chlorhexidine covers gram+ bacteria, grambacteria, spores, viruses and fungi but was found to be most effective with gram+ microorganisms (AU)

Effectiveness of home visits to pediatric peritoneal dialysis patients.

Home visits by trained personnel to patients undergoing home dialysis are required, but little is reported about the effectiveness of such home visits. We retrospectively reviewed home visits to 22 pediatric patients undergoing continuous cycling peritoneal dialysis (PD) at home. A trained dialysis nurse completed each home visit. An average of 1.5 pertinent dialysis findings and 1 pertinent medication finding was noted for each home visit to these patients. The interdisciplinary dialysis team reviewed the home visit findings and made specific recommendations after each home visit. In addition, the training process has been enhanced to incorporate visit findings for future home PD patients. Although not statistically significant in this small number of patients, peritonitis rates declined in the 6 months after initiation of the home visit program. The average cost for a dialysis nurse to complete a home visit is less than the cost of antibiotics for 1 episode of peritonitis. Home visits are valuable for improving clinical care in pediatric patients on home PD.

Advanced nursing experience is beneficial for lowering the peritonitis rate in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

OBJECTIVES: We explored the relationship between the experience level of nurses and the peritonitis risk in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. METHODS: Our observational cohort study followed 305 incident PD patients until a first episode of peritonitis, death, or censoring. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to the work experience in general medicine of their nurses-that is, least experience (<10 years), moderate experience (10 to <15 years), and advanced experience (≥ 15 years). Demographic characteristics, baseline biochemistry, and residual renal function were also recorded. Multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze the association of risks for all-cause and gram-positive peritonitis with patient training provided by nurses at different experience levels. RESULTS: Of the 305 patients, 91 were trained at the initiation of PD by nurses with advanced experience, 100 by nurses with moderate experience, and 114 by nurses with the least experience. Demographic and clinical variables did not vary significantly between the groups. During 13 582 patient-months of follow-up, 129 first episodes of peritonitis were observed, with 48 episodes being attributed to gram-positive organisms. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that training by nurses with advanced experience predicted the longest period free of first-episode gram-positive peritonitis. After adjustment for some recognized confounders, the advanced experience group was still associated with the lowest risk for first-episode gram-positive peritonitis. The level of nursing experience was not significantly correlated with all-cause peritonitis risk. CONCLUSIONS: The experience in general medicine of nurses might help to lower the risk of gram-positive peritonitis among PD patients. These data are the first to indicate that nursing experience in areas other than PD practice can be vital in the training of PD patients.

Review of the literature and description of a case of sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis requiring home parenteral nutrition.

We present a case of a 48 year old HIV patient, who had recurrent episodes of ascites since 2007. His history includes ischaemic heart disease, for which he was treated with atenolol from 2005 to 2007, and Type 2 diabetes; he was later started on propranolol 40  mg twice a day from 2007 for Didanosine-induced portal hypertension. Because of negative cultures and neutrophil count < 250 cells/µL, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was excluded. However, some low grade-peritoneal irritation cannot be ruled out because his CRP varied from 24 to 258, during 2007 - 2009, without any other obvious inflammatory cause. He was finally diagnosed in July 2009 with sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis (SEP) based on clinical features of intestinal obstruction, histology and imaging, including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Propranolol was stopped in November 2009.  Because of the patient's severe intestinal obstruction, he was started on parenteral nutrition 2  L/day. Since then, his CRP has returned to normal levels and there is a great improvement of his clinical features. This case demonstrates beta-blockers as a potential cause of SEP, while the presence of some low-grade peritoneal inflammation leading to SEP is also very likely.

[The changing life of caregiving mothers of children with chronic kidney disease--a single case study]. / Die veränderte Lebenswelt pflegender Mütter von Kindern mit chronischer Nierenerkrankung.

BACKGROUND: The scientific literature shows, that caring parents of children with chronic kidney disease experience profound changes of life-world in terms of their welfare and their health. The different experiences that by the child's illness influenced the life-world of the parents in the two stages of life "living with peritoneal dialysis" and "living after kidney transplantation" have not yet been described in the German literature. METHODOLOGY: To study the changing life-world in the two stages of life "living with peritoneal dialysis" and "living after kidney transplantation" of the child, a single case study was carried out. The mother was interviewed using a problem-centered-interview. The analysis of the interview was based on Mayring's technique of content analysis (2002). RESULTS: The category system shows that mother's life-world is influenced by different experiences in both stages of life. Subjectively, the mother saw her greatest challenge during the "life with peritoneal dialysis" in following the hygienic rules and the prevention of peritation" was her fear that the donor kidney would be rejected by her child. IMPLICATIONS: The results of this study correspond to the results of previous studies in the English literature. Healthcare professionals, including nurses can use the results of this study to build up a professional relationship, for empathic support and for improvement of parental well-being. Further qualitative research should focus on healthcare professionals' view regarding the experiences and needs of caring parents of children with chronic kidney disease in order to compare with parents' view.

[Living with a chronic abdominal wound--the patients' perspective]. / Leben mit einer chronischen Bauchwunde--Die Erfahrung Betroffener und ihre Erwartungen an die betreuenden Fachpersonen.

Chronic abdominal wounds lead to prolonged hospital stays. However, no data exist that describe the experience of persons living with a chronic abdominal wound. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of persons living with chronic abdominal wounds and elicit their expectations in health professionals. Narrative interviews were conducted with five women and four men. Using content analysis techniques, five categories with one to four subcategories emerged from the data. "Returning to everyday life without a wound" represents the main goal of the participants and is driven by their hope to achieve this outcome. "Everyday life with the wound" illustrates the reality of participants' lives, which is affected by suffering. "The patients' work" demonstrates the component that patients contribute to managing their wound. "The work of primary support persons" shows the importance of the work of people close to the patient. "The work of professionals" includes the expectations that patients have in their caregivers. Teamwork between professionals, patients and primary support persons seems to be an essential condition for the successful healing of an abdominal wound.

Responding to 4 gastrointestinal complications in cancer patients.

If your patient has cancer, be prepared to help her manage such serious GI complications as bowel obstruction, peritonitis, fistula formation, and intestinal perforation.

Influência do treinamento na evolução da diálise peritoneal / Influence of training on the progression of peritoneal dialysis

Objetivo: Conhecer a influência do cuidador no treinamento da diálise peritoneal (DP) e no tempo livre de peritonite. Método: Estudo retrospectivo com 38 pacientes prevalentes, atendidos na Diálise Ambulatorial do Hospital das Clínicas/Botucatu, que receberam treinamento para DP pela mesma enfermeira. Avaliaram-se: 1) o responsável pela técnica de diálise (paciente ou cuidador); 2) o treinamento (tempo dispensado e desempenho atingido); 3) o tempo livre de peritonite. Foram realizadas regressão logística e análise de sobrevivência por Kaplan-Meyer. Resultado: A DP foi realizada por umcuidador em 71% (N=27) dos pacientes. Dos diabéticos, 89% (N=16) necessitavam de cuidador e 11% (N=2) realizaram o próprio tratamento (p<0,05); quanto à idade, 26% (N=10) apresentavam mais de 65 anos e, destes, 90% (N=9) tinham o cuidador para DP (p=0,05); dos pacientes provenientes de outras localidades (N=23), 74% (N=17) necessitavam do cuidador (p=0,07). O treinamento foi concluído no tempo médio por 71% (N=27), e 79% (N=30) obtiveram desempenho bom, sem diferenças quanto ao responsável pela técnica. A probabilidade de permanecer livre de peritonite no primeiro ano detratamento foi maior quando o cuidador realizava a DP, sendo 54% para o paciente e 78% para o cuidador (p<0,05). Conclusão: Pacientes com mais de 65 anos e diabéticos necessitaram de cuidador na diálise. No treinamento, tempo dispensado e desempenho atingido não diferiram quanto ao responsável pela técnica. O tempo livre de peritonite foi maior para os pacientes em que a diálise foi realizada por cuidador. O responsável pela diálise (paciente ou cuidador) pode influenciar na evolução da DP.

Objective: To evaluate the influence of the caretaker on the training time of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and peritonitis-free time. Method: Retrospective medical record review of 38 patients receiving PD training from the same nurse at the Dialysis Unit of Botucatu Medical School Hospital. Assessment included: 1) home PD provider (patient or caretaker); 2) training (length and performance achieved); 3) peritonitis-free time. Result: In 71% (N=27) of the cases, PD was performed by a caretaker. Among diabetic patients, 89% (N=16) were supported by a caretaker, and 11 % (N=2) performed their own dialysis (p=0.03); 26% (N=10) were over 65 years of age, with 90% (N=10) of them having a PD caretaker (p=0.05). Among patients from other areas (N=23), 74% (N=17) were supported by a PD caretaker (p=0.07). Training was concluded after the mean time by 71% (N=27) and a good performance level was achieved in 79% (N=30) of the cases with no difference between provider type. The probability of the patient remaining peritonitis-free over the first year was higher when PD was performed by a caretaker (patient= 54%; caretaker = 78%; p<0.05). Conclusion: The presence of caretakers was more frequent among the patients who were over 65 years of age or diabetic. With respect to training, length of time and performance did not differ according to the person responsible for technique. Peritonitis-free time was longer among patients supported by caretakers. The PD provider (patient or caretaker) may influence PD results.

Peritoneal dialysis.

Peritoneal dialysis has much to offer patients with chronic renal failure who wish to manage their care and live relatively independent lives. The authors discuss different peritoneal dialysis treatments, patient selection, benefits and the management of potential complications.

Peritonitis prevention in CAPD: to mask or not?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of wearing a face mask to prevent peritonitis during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) bag exchange. SETTING: Renal unit at a university hospital. PATIENTS: Two groups of patients on CAPD were compared: those performing bag exchange with (n = 24) and those without a face mask (n = 40). OUTCOMES: Occurrence of first episode of peritonitis and total number of episodes. RESULTS: No difference was found between groups with respect to probability of developing the first episode of peritonitis (p = 0.757). Patients holding university degrees had evidence of protection, with borderline significance [relative risk (RR) 0.52; confidence interval (CI) 95%, 0.23 -1.18; p= 0.109]. Cox's proportional hazard regression analysis also demonstrated a significant protective factor for patients with university level education (RR 0.42; Cl 95%, 0.18 - 0.98; p = 0.04). Incidence of peritonitis was not significantly different between groups: with-mask group had 1.0 episode/year, and without-mask group had 0.94 episodes/year. Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most commonly identified agent. Staphylococcus aureus was found more frequently in the with-mask group (p = 0.003). Peritonitis due to Streptococcus viridans and Enterococci were detected only in the without-mask group. CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that routine use of face masks during CAPD bag exchanges may be unnecessary and could be discontinued.