Relationship between the level of uric acid and peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis patients; a retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Introduction: Peritonitis is a cause of mortality among peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Some studies suggested that uric acid (UC) levels may be effective in inflammatory processes. Objectives: We have examined the relationship between serum UC and peritonitis in PD patients. Patients and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted over six years. The statistical population was all PD patients who underwent PD for at least six months. The sample size included 151 patients based on serum UC levels (less than or equal to 6.5 mg/dL, more than 6.5 mg/dL) and was divided into two groups. Both groups were compared using inflammatory factors and peritonitis. Results: In total, around 100 patients (66.2%) had UC levels ≤6.5 mg/dL, and 51 patients (33.7%) had serum UC levels >6.5 mg/dL. Peritonitis was observed in 72 (47.6%) patients. The frequency of peritonitis in the patients with greater levels of serum UC (51%) was higher compared to the other group (46%), but this difference was not statistically significant (P=0.56). The average hemoglobin level was lower in higher serum UC levels group (P=0.002). The mean levels of serum albumin (P=0.002), phosphorus (P=0.004), and creatinine (P=0.02) were lower in the group with serum UC below 6.5 mg/dL group. Conclusion: There was no correlation discovered between peritonitis and serum UC levels. However, it seems that serum UC can serve as a marker among PD patients to predict the occurrence of anemia and malnutrition.