Abstract
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical results of 20 patients treated at Saiseikai Maebashi Hospital from 1986 to 1996, with the objective of describing the characteristics of patients for more than 5 years on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).
Among 10 withdrawals, (duration of CAPD less than 5 years; positive selection 5, negative selection 5; diabetic 1, chronic glomerulonephritis 9) 6 were switched over to hemodialysis (HD) and 4 died.
The reasons for transfer to HD were peritonitis in 3, cardiac failure in 1, and others in 2. The causes of death were arrhythmia in 2 cases, peritonitis in one, and sepsis in one. These patients were elderly and had more cardiovascular diseases. The frequency of peritonitis was 1 per 23.8 patient months.
Peritoneal function assessed by the clearance of urea (KT/V) remained normal in 10 continuations. (duration of CAPD more than 5 years; positive selection 9, negative selection 1; chronic glomerulonephritis 10) Mean urea clearance was a KT/V of 1.73. Although the KT/V values were lower than those proposed nowadays, the patients showed good rehabilitation. The frequency of peritonitis was 1 per 52.5 patient months.
The prevention of peritonitis and proper patient selection are important for achieving long term continuation of CAPD.
