Constipation in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients.

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Gastroenterology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Constipation is an infrequent but serious complication in peritoneal dialysis (PD).
• It can negatively impact dialysis mechanics and lead to enteric peritonitis via bacterial translocation.
• Existing literature is limited, primarily consisting of uncontrolled single-center trials.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the pathophysiological links between chronic kidney disease (CKD), PD, and constipation.
• To discuss complications associated with constipation in PD patients.
• To highlight the lack of standardized outcomes in current research.

Main Methods:

• Narrative review of existing literature.
• Discussion of pathophysiological mechanisms.
• Analysis of clinical, radiological, and endoscopic findings.

Main Results:

• Constipation in PD affects dialysis efficiency and increases peritonitis risk.
• A lack of consensus on primary outcomes hinders consistent research.
• Pathophysiological associations between CKD, PD, and constipation are complex.

Conclusions:

• Constipation is a significant concern in PD patients, requiring further investigation.
• Standardized outcome measures are crucial for future research.
• Understanding the CKD-PD-constipation nexus is vital for patient management.