[Peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Experiences after 7 years]

A retrospective study of CAPD-related peritonitis revealed a frequency of 1.7 episodes per treatment year among 121 patients during a period of 7 years. Life-table methodology estimated a 44% probability of still remaining peritonitis-free after six months on CAPD, with no differences between subgroup populations according to sex, age (younger/older than 60 years) and primary disease (diabetic/non-diabetic). A marked improvement in probability of remaining peritonitis-free was evident in the last calendar period (1983-86). The predominant etiological microorganisms in peritonitis episodes were staphylococci. In 25% of the episodes, no microorganism could be isolated. One patient died from peritonitis; lethality 0.7% per year. Ten patients (8%) were transferred from CAPD because of either repeated episodes of peritonitis or a single complicated episode.