Impact of Time-interval and Frequency of Hospitalization Due to Fluid Overload on Survival in Peritoneal Dialysis: Thailand Experience.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fluid overload (FO) is common and linked to high mortality in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study evaluates the impact of the time interval and frequency of FO-related hospitalizations on mortality and patient survival rates in PD patients. METHODS: Data from PD patients voluntarily registered in the Database of Peritoneal Dialysis in EXcel (DPEX) was reviewed. We included patients who started PD between January 2008 and December 2018, had a history of FO-related hospitalizations after starting PD, and were followed until December 2020 or death. We analyzed the time interval to the first FO-related hospitalization after starting PD, the number of such hospitalizations, and the cumulative FO-free time. Mortality and patient survival rates were calculated, and multiple Cox regression identified factors associated with mortality. RESULTS: Among 1,858 patients hospitalized due to FO, those hospitalized within 12 months of starting PD or with less than 12 months of cumulative FO-free time had high mortality rates of 38.8 and 40.3 per 100 patient-years, respectively. One-year survival rates were 70.1% for those with a time to first FO-related hospitalization within 12 months of starting PD and 68.7% for those with less than 12 months of cumulative FO-free time. Adjusted hazard ratios were 2.92 (2.31-3.69) for a cumulative FO-free time of less than 12 months, 1.53 (1.18-1.99) for a time to first FO-related hospitalization within 12 months, and 1.05 (1.03-1.07) per FO-related hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: The time interval to the development of FO significantly impacts mortality in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.