The Importance of Patient Selection for Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was used between May 1980 and May 1981 to treat 21 patients for a total of 8.2 “patient years”. On commencing CAPD, patients were also assessed according to our established criteria, as being suitable for home hemodialysis -Group I (independent) 13 patients, 62 patient months; or hospital hemodialysis Group II (dependent) eight patients, 36 patient months. Biochemical control was good in both groups. In Group II, peritonitis was more frequent and rehabilitation was poorer with more frequent and longer hospital admissions than in Group I. Selection of patients can therefore reduce the incidence of complications. Fourteen of the 27 episodes of peritonitis occurred in the ward during training or while the patients were hospitalized for other reasons indicating the risk of such training in busy general medical wards.