#4850 20 YEARS' EXPERIENCE OF PERITONEAL DIALYSIS IN SARAWAK, MALAYSIA

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aims Peritoneal dialysis is a modality of renal replacement therapy first introduced in the 1960s. In the event of the recent COVID 19 pandemic, peritoneal dialysis is gaining popularity due to the increased preference of home dialysis. Sarawak is the largest state in Malaysia with a population of more than 2 million. Unfortunately, 13% of households in the state are living in poverty. We present our experience with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for the past years in a geographically and socioeconomically challenging region. Method Sarawak General Hospital is the centre of referral for Tenckhoff catheter insertion from other districts in Sarawak. This is a retrospective record review of all CAPD patients who were under our clinic follow up from 2001 to 2022. Data examined included patient's demographic data, incidence of peritoneal dialysis related peritonitis and their outcome. Results All of the patients on CAPD were recorded by December of each year since we started our service in 2001 which shows a rising trend of patients on CAPD, with the highest in December 2022 at 399 patients. The number of patients with dialysis related peritonitis was also collected. Despite having more patients on CAPD, the number of peritonitis episodes per patient-year were in a decreasing trend. This was the result of the implementation of empirical first line intra-peritoneal antibiotics as part of the CAPD Peritonitis Management Protocol in 2015 and Decontamination Protocol in 2016. Conclusion Despite the headwinds of geographic and socioeconomic challenges, the number of patients on CAPD is on the rise. Over the years, peritonitis rate declined approaching to 0.2 episodes per patient-year. This was made possible with the introduction of local decontamination protocol and CAPD peritonitis management protocol, which helped improve the life expectancy and health of renal patients in the region.