[5 years of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) (multicenter study of 345 patients)]

A retrospective survey has been undertaken in 7 different centers: 345 patients trained to CAPD between 1978 and 1983 were studied: technic success and survival rate were analysed using actuarial methods. Drop-out has dramatically decreased after May 1981 due to a lower mortality whatever the age. For all patients the actuarial survival at two years after 1981 is 87.1%. Related to a lower mortality, better results are obtained in patients younger than 55. However peritonitis is the main complication since they are involved in 1/3 of drop-out causes. It is concluded that CAPD might be used in almost 30% of chronic renal failure patients and that patients waiting for a kidney transplantation represent the best indication. In aged patients, nutritional status and psychosocial background must be carefully analysed before starting CAPD.