The effect of peritonitis on the peritoneal membrane transport properties in patients on CAPD

Peritonitis is known to acutely affect the transport characteristics of the peritoneal membrane, however, the long-term effects are not known. We studied the effect of peritoneal inflammation on mean dialysate-to-plasma creatinine concentration ratio (D/P), dialysate protein losses (DPL, g/week), and dialysate albumin losses (DAL, g/week), done at six weeks or more postepisode, in 152 patients [102 (67%) males, mean age 57 years (range 21-91)]. These patients were on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for a mean of twelve months (range 1-97). A total of 94 distinct peritonitis episodes were managed in 47 patients (31%). The number of patients with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 episodes of peritonitis were 105, 29, 3, 6, 4, and 5. These episodes were treated with a standard protocol. There were no statistically significant differences between the D/P, DPL, or DAL between the groups. The parameters did not show any correlation to time on dialysis. Thus, in conclusion, peritonitis, if promptly treated, does not cause any permanent change in D/P, DAL, or DPL.