Relation of demographic, clinic and biochemical parameters to peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis

The relation of various demographic, clinical and biochemical parameters of peritoneal dialysis patients with peritonitis and other infections was evaluated. The age, gender, peritoneal dialysis (PD) period, educational status, peritonitis, exit site score, serum albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and triglyceride levels at the beginning and the last visit were recorded. Mean age of 32 patients was 45.1 years; PD period was 13.1 months. Albumin level was inversely proportional to the frequency of peritonitis. Patients with peritonitis had albumin levels that were lower at the last visit, and were independent of the CRP values at the start of PD and during follow-up. Significant correlation was detected between females and exit site scores. There was significant correlation between educational status and peritonitis. Albumin level at first visit was a factor that reduced the likelihood of peritonitis, and low levels obtained during follow-up constituted a risk for peritonitis. It was also shown that peritonitis risk tended to decrease inversely with education level.