CAPD in end stage patients with renal disease due to diabetes mellitus--an update

Large numbers of diabetics with renal failure have been treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Overall 1-year patient survival varies from 51% to 87%. Mortality is due to cardiovascular disease in more than 50% of the cases. Young diabetics with good blood pressure control and without cardiac disease have a chance at long survival on CAPD. In comparison to hemodialysis, CAPD yields better patient survival for young diabetics and worse for old diabetics, worse technique survival, probably greater overall morbidity, and similar rates of progression of retinopathy, neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease. Adequacy of peritoneal clearance and peritoneal ultrafiltration characteristics are similar between diabetics and non-diabetics on CAPD. CAPD is associated with better preservation of renal function than hemodialysis in diabetics. The rates of CAPD peritonitis do not differ substantially between diabetics and non-diabetics. However, diabetes appears to be associated with higher incidence of tunnel infection. Hyperlipidemia is generally less severe in diabetics than non-diabetics on CAPD, but malnutrition is more frequent in diabetics. CAPD has many attractive features and several drawbacks for the management of diabetics with end stage renal failure (ESRF). Its ultimate success will depend on the outcome of efforts to improve cardiovascular mortality, malnutrition, hyperlipidemia and catheter-related infections.