Dialysis adequacy versus metabolic factors in the clinical assessment of CAPD

We performed a cross sectional study of our continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients (n = 98) to examine the relation between parameters of adequacy of dialysis [KT/V, weekly creatinine clearance (Ccr)], urea kinetics (PCR), biochemical parameters (serum albumin), and clinical status of these patients. We also investigated the predictive value of these parameters in the determination of clinical outcomes. The clinical status of each patient was assessed by patient self-assessment and objectively by physicians and nurses. On this basis a total clinical assessment score was assigned. Individuals with a score of 3 or less were judged to be clinically stable (group 1, n = 61), while a score of 4 or more was considered "not doing well" (group 2, n = 37). A good correlation (r = 0.7) between subjective and objective assessments was observed. No correlation between total clinical assessment score and KT/V, PCRN (normalized protein catabolic rate), or Ccr was obtained, while serum albumin levels correlated inversely (r = -0.30; p < 0.003), suggesting that parameters of dialysis adequacy (weekly KT/V, Ccr) and urea kinetics (PCRN) are not predictive of clinical outcome in CAPD patients, in contrast with hemodialysis (HD) patients. Serum albumin levels were observed to be correlated with clinical outcome in CAPD patients. Hypoalbuminemia was observed in group 2 patients, despite statistically insignificant different values of KT/V, Ccr, and PCRN in the two groups. Therefore, clinical assessment and parameters such as serum albumin must be considered when determining the total well-being of CAPD patients.