Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in the treatment of end-stage diabetic nephropathy

The results of treatment with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) of 24 unselected patients with end-stage diabetic nephropathy are reported. The total treatment time was 346 months. Six patients died, eight received a kidney allograft, two returned to CAPD after graft failure, six were transferred to other forms of dialysis and one to another centre. Five patients remained on CAPD. Good control of symptoms, biochemical values and hypertension was achieved. Intraperitoneal administration of insulin resulted in very good metabolic control of diabetes. In view of the unfavourable prognosis of uremic diabetics, the results of this study indicate that CAPD is a suitable method for treatment of uremia in end-stage diabetic nephropathy.