1994 Volume 27 Issue 10 Pages 1303-1308
CAPD was reviewed on a multicenter basis using a questionnaire. The data were analyzed mainly from the patients' and CAPD care providers' standpoint.
1) Most of the patients (83%) rated CAPD positively. Physical, psychological and social quality of life (QOL) and compliance with CAPD were good in approximately 80% of the cases. 2) Concerns of the CAPD providers were peritonitis, loss of ultrafiltration after long-term use, need for a 24-hour on-call system, and time consumed in patient education, etc.. These are factors which may hamper wider use of CAPD. Despite these complaints, patients and CAPD providers still preferred CAPD to hemodialysis (HD). 3) The majority of the CAPD care providers stated they would choose CAPD over HD if they became uremic and needed dialysis. 4) Complications in order of frequency are itching, secondary hyperparathyroidism, anemia, peritonitis, bone pain.
The results of the present study suggest that CAPD can compete, sometimes favorably, with HD with respect to QOL. However, the establishement of well-functioning support systems will be increasingly required in the future if CAPD programs are to be expanded.
