[Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in Tunisia]

CAPD covers about 4% of renal replacement therapy patients in Tunisia. From February 1983 to 1988, 47 patients, 21 males and 26 females whose mean age was 36, 14 +/- 15 were treated. Their socio-cultural level was variable. The mean duration of therapy was 14.5 months/patient/year. The five years patient survival rate was 46% and the technique survival rate 21%. Most patients had a good general condition and were professionally rehabilitated. Peritonitis was the main complication: its incidence was 1.8 episodes/patient/year. Yeasts peritonitis were relatively frequent, specially in patients who had previously been treated with antibiotics. Peritonitis was often cured with a local and general treatment. Yearly CAPD cost was 1/3 lower than center hemodialysis and a better management allowed to decrease the expenses due to laboratory and X ray investigations and to hospitalization. On the basis of this clinical experience, we believe that CAPD is an efficient and valid therapeutic modality, less expensive than hemodialysis. It is probably a suitable renal replacement therapy in other centers in Tunisia and in other developing countries.