Technique failure and center size in a large cohort of peritoneal dialysis patients in a defined geographic area

Hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) are both viable options for renal replacement therapy. Technique failure has been shown to be a major problem in PD therapy.

To examine the relationship between center size and PD technique failure.

ESRD Network #1 (NW1).

Retrospective review of NW1 database.

5003 incident PD patients between 2001 and 2005 in 105 PD units were included. Patients were grouped into 2 based on center size: group A, patients in units with 25 patients. Outcome measures were analyzed for the first and second years of PD therapy. Patients were censored at transplantation, transfer to HD, or death.

Technique failure and mortality reported as death in Standard Information Management Systems (SIMS) database (NW1 data system).

Technique failure rates were significantly higher in group A for year 1 (odds ratio: 1.36, p = 0.005) and for year 2 (odds ratio: 1.35, p = 0.03). Mortality rates were not statistically different between the 2 groups.

Technique failure was higher in units with 25 patients. There was no difference in mortality between the 2 groups. The majority of patients in NW1 receive care in small units.