Sevelamer use and incidence of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis

Sevelamer, a non-calcium containing phosphate binder often used in end-stage renal disease, is frequently associated with gastrointestinal side effects. However, whether Sevelamer is also a risk factor for peritonitis in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) is unclear.

We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (n = 48) between June 2003 and December 2009 at our institution. Data consisted of 1200 patient months and 49 episodes of peritonitis. Patient demographic data, comorbidities, concomitant medication, laboratory parameters, and microbiology results were obtained from the medical records and from the hospital's electronic database.

The mean peritonitis incidence rate was to 0.50/patient year. An identified risk factor for peritonitis was time on PD. Neither Sevelamer use in general nor the mean daily intake was associated with the risk for peritonitis even after adjustment.

Treatment with Sevelamer is not associated with a higher risk for peritonitis.