Gender-Specific Differences in Peritoneal Dialysis

Abstract

Background/Aims: Gender-specific differences between patients on renal replacement therapy have so far rarely been investigated. In the present study we aimed to describe gender-specific differences in a large cohort of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods: Clinical information for all patients who started PD at our center has been collected since the start of the PD-program in 1979. We used Cox regression to examine associations between technique failure and gender. We estimated hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: A total of 745 patients (315 women and 430 men with a median age of 57 years; IQR 43–67) started PD between 1979 and 2015 in our center. Women were significantly younger at PD start 54 (40-65) years vs. 58 (47-68) years, p<0.001. Within the last almost 15 years, more man than women started PD, but technical survival rates were significantly better in female compared to men (HR=0.662, CI 95% (0.496-0.885) P=0.005). Cardiovascular events were the main cause of death over the study period in both sexes, but decreased over time. Additionally, death due to PD-associated peritonitis decreased significantly over the three decades in both sexes. Conclusions: Our data suggest that technical survival rates were significantly better in female compared to men over three decades and death due to cardiovascular events and PD-associated peritonitis decreased significantly over the three decades in both sexes.