Peritoneal Dialysis in Italy: the 8th GPDP-SIN Census 2022 - 2nd Part: the Centers

Objectives. The results are presented of the 8th National Census (Cs-22) of the Peritoneal Dialysis Project Group of the Italian Society of Nephrology relating to the characteristics of the Centers in Italy which used PD in 2022. Materials and methods. The 227 non-pediatric centers which used Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) in 2022 took part. The data requested were sent in aggregate form. For the first time, the resources available and training were investigated as well as home visits. The Centers have been divided into Quartiles according to the number of prevalent PD patients at 31/12/2022. Results. Centers with a smaller PD program (<9 pts) are characterized by 1. smaller overall size - 2. fewer personnel (doctors/nurses) dedicated to PD - 3. greater recourse to external personnel for training - 4. Less incremental prescription and evaluation of peritoneal permeability - 5. higher drop-out to HD in particular for choice/impossibility to continue and for adequacy/catheter-related issues. A lower peritonitis rate was recorded in Centers with a more extensive PD program (≥25 pts). Home visits are carried out regularly by a small minority of Centers. Conclusions. The analysis shows an association between size of Center PD program and available resources, PD modality and outcome.