A prospective study of peritoneal dialysis-related infections in CAPD patients with diabetes mellitus

Data comparing peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related infection rates between diabetic and nondiabetic patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis are conflicting. We carried out a prospective study comparing PD-related infection rates between diabetic and nondiabetic patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) in our center. All patients commencing CAPD between January 1989 and June 1992 were enrolled into the study. Patients were followed up until death, CAPD dropout, or until December 1992. Data on diabetes mellitus status, Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage, and PD-related infections were gathered. Infection rates were analyzed using life tables and the negative binomial test. One hundred and seven diabetic patients and 72 nondiabetic patients were studied. Patients with diabetes mellitus were not at increased risk of being S. aureus nasal carriers. The peritonitis rate was significantly higher in the diabetic group (1.2 vs 0.8 episodes/patient/year, p < 0.05). The exit-site and tunnel infection, catheter loss, and patient dropout rates were not significantly different between the two groups. Life-table analysis did not show a significant difference in the time to first episode of peritonitis and catheter-related infection.