An interracial study of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in Natal

This study analyses our experience with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) over a period of 2 1/2 years. Twenty-six patients are continuing on CAPD. Of the 31 Whites, 19 Asians, 5 Coloureds and 3 Blacks who began treatment, 15 Whites, 8 Asians, and 3 Coloureds but no Black patients are continuing treatment. Peritonitis was the most important limiting factor and occurred once in every 28,5 weeks in Coloureds, once in 19,5 weeks in Whites, once every 16 weeks in Asiatics and once every 11 weeks in Blacks. Twenty-eight per cent of the patients had 70% of the episodes of peritonitis. Advantages of CAPD were personal freedom, control of blood pressure and fluid balance, and a greater latitude in acceptance of more patients into a chronic renal dialysis programme. The value of CAPD should be assessed further in time and should not be regarded as the final solution to the management of patients with chronic renal failure.