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Hospitalization in peritoneal dialysis patients
L Fried1, S Abidi, J Bernardini
1Renal-Electrolyte Division, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. lff9@vms.cis.pitt.edu
Summary
Hospitalization rates in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients remain high due to peritonitis, particularly from specific bacteria. Preventing these infections is key to reducing hospital admissions for PD patients.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Internal Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Hospitalization rates are declining faster for peritoneal dialysis (PD) than hemodialysis.
- Previous assumptions linked this to lower peritonitis rates, but admissions need re-evaluation.
- Causes of admission in PD patients require updated analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively analyze hospitalization rates and causes in adult PD patients.
- To assess the impact of peritonitis on hospital admissions.
- To examine trends over a 4-year period at a single center.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of adult PD patients over 4 years.
- Data collection on admissions, causes, and peritonitis rates.
- Multivariate analysis to identify predictors of hospitalization.
Main Results:
- 1.6 admissions and 13.0 hospital days per patient-year were recorded.
- Cardiac disease (14.6%) and peritonitis (13.5%) were leading admission causes.
- Peritonitis admissions did not change, but hospital days decreased; Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus spp. were common causes.
Conclusions:
- Peritonitis remains a significant cause of hospitalization in PD patients.
- Focusing on preventing peritonitis from specific organisms (non-S. epidermidis) can reduce admissions.
- Higher risk factors for peritonitis admission include being Black, higher peritonitis rates, and longer PD duration.