Compliance in peritoneal dialysis measured by supply inventories

Compliance with the prescribed exchanges in peritoneal dialysis (PD) is important to dialysis success. In the present study, we used measurement of supply inventories to determine compliance by PD patients with the prescribed bag exchanges. We performed home supply inventories by telephone with 30 stable PD patients. Patients who performed at least 90% of prescribed exchanges were considered compliant. Mean age of the patients was 52.8 years. Seven of the patients (23%) had diabetes, and 19 (63%) were women. Peritoneal dialysis was the first choice of renal replacement therapy in 19 patients (63%); the other 11 (37%) had been allocated to PD. Of the 30 patients, 21 (70%) were compliant, and 9 (30%) were not. Among patients choosing PD, 74% were compliant; among those allocated to PD, compliance was found to be 64%. Furthermore, of the compliant patients, 67% had opted for PD and only 33% had been allocated to PD. In the noncompliant group, 56% had opted for and 44% had been allocated to PD. Weekly Kt/V was 1.9 for compliant patients and 1.53 for noncompliant patients. The peritonitis rates in the two groups were similar (0.5 episodes per patient-year for compliant patients and 0.4 episodes per year-patient for noncompliant patients). Participation in the decision-making process improves compliance. Telephone calls about supply inventories is a simple method of monitoring compliance. Developing interventions to enhance compliance in PD patients is a challenge to nurses and to the renal team.