[Residual renal function and blood count in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis]

Most of patients with chronic renal failure are affected by normochromic, normocytic anemia caused by different etiological factors. Anemia causes a series of symptoms in chronic renal failure, which can hardly be recognized from the uremic signs. Anemia adds to morbidity and mortality rates in patients affected by advanced chronic renal failure. Blood count partially improves during the first months after starting the chronic renal replacement therapy, in correlation with the quality of depuration program, with extension of erythrocyte lifetime and with hemoconcentration due to reduction of plasma volume. Recent trials found that higher residual renal function (RRF) significantly reduced co-morbidity, the rate and duration of hospitalization and risk of treatment failure.

The aim of the study was to follow blood count parameters in 32 patients on chronic continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) during the first six months of treatment, to evaluate the influence of demographic and clinical factors on blood count and RRF, and to examine the correlation between RRF and blood count parameters.

A total of 32 patients affected by end-stage renal disease of different major cause during the first six months of CADP treatment were studied. RRF and blood count were evaluated as well as their relationship during the follow-up. RESULTS Blood count significantly improved in our patients during the first six months of CAPD treatment even if Hb and HTC failed to reach normal values. Iron serum level slightly decreased because of more abundant erythropoiesis and iron utilization during the first six months of treatment. RRF slightly decreased. After six months of CAPD treatment, the patients with higher RRF had significantly higher Hb, HTC and erythrocyte number and a lot of positive correlations between RRF and anemia markers were observed.

After 6-month follow-up period, the patients with higher RRF had significantly higher blood count parameters, and several positive correlations between RRF and blood count markers were confirmed.