[Peritoneal dialysis: peritonitis and catheter infections]

Infections were reviewed among 118 patients (M = 64, F = 54) undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD) from 01-86 to 12-91. One hundred and fifty-five catheters were installed during the study period. Twenty-seven (23%) had more than one catheter. Forty-seven patients (39.8%) were diabetics. Mean follow-up was 460 days per catheter and 540 days per patient. Factors were collected and analyzed by multiple logistic regression. Survival curves were drawn according to the Kaplan-Meyer method. One year survival was 73.8%. Respective incidence of the different infections are presented. Fourteen percent of peritonitis, 48% of tunnel infections and 2.1% of exit site infections led to catheter removal. Younger patients had more catheter infections (p < 0.05). The different types of infections were significantly influenced by the system of dialysis employed (p < 0.005). Perioperative antibiotic coverage diminished the incidence of peritonitis during the first three months (p < 0.05). With our data and our literature review, we have attempted to make some recommendations in order to reduce the occurrence of infections under PD.