Outcomes In Peritoneal Dialysis Patients Research Articles

Clinical characteristics and antibiotic treatment of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis caused by Pseudomonas species: a review of 15 years' experience from southern China.

Although the incidence of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis caused by Pseudomonas is very low, it seriously affects the technique survival of peritoneal dialysis patients. However, there are few studies and reports on Pseudomonas peritonitis in the Chinese mainland area. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics, the regimens of antibiotic, drug resistance, and outcome of peritoneal dialysis patients in southern China in the past 15 years and summarize the clinical experience in the treatment of Pseudomonas peritonitis.

Investigation of Factors Affecting Clinical Outcome of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Investigation of Factors Affecting Clinical Outcome of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients

Serum Galactomannan: A Predictor of Poor Outcomes in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients With Fungal Peritonitis

The potential value of serum galactomannan index (GMI) in monitoring treatment response in patients with fungal peritonitis who are receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) was assessed in the present study. The study included all Thailand fungal PD-related infectious complications surveillance (MycoPDICS) DATA study participants who had timely PD catheter removal and availability of both baseline and≥2 subsequent serum GMI measurements after starting antifungal therapy (if available). Serum GMI was assessed by direct double-sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with reference to positive and negative control samples. Comparisons of categorical variables among groups were analyzed by Fisher's exact test for categorical data and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables. Mortality outcomes were analyzed by survival analyses using Kaplan-Meier curves with Log-rank test. Seventy-six (46%) of 166 participants from 21 PD centers between 2018 and 2022 were included. The median age was 58 (50-65) years, and a half of the patients (50%) had type II diabetes. Nineteen (25%) and 57 (75%) episodes were caused by yeast and mold, respectively. Death occurred in 11 (14%) patients at 3 months, and no differences were observed in demographics, laboratories, treatment characteristics, or in baseline serum GMI between those who died and those who survived. Serum GMI progressively declined over the follow-up period after the completion of treatment. Patients who died had significantly higher posttreatment serum GMI levels and were more likely to have positive GMI after treatment. Serum GMI is an excellent biomarker for risk stratification and treatment response monitoring in patients on PD with fungal peritonitis.

Volume markers in left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and adverse outcomes in peritoneal dialysis patients: a prospective cohort study

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) is an early event associated with cardiovascular complications and poor prognosis in chronic kidney disease patients undergoing dialysis. In this study, we investigated whether diastolic dysfunction, measured by the E/E′ ratio, affects adverse outcomes in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients (n = 148). Our results showed that patients with an E/E′ ratio ≥ 15 were more likely to be female, have a longer dialysis vintage, have significantly higher left atrial volume index and left atrial kinetic energy levels, have lower E′ levels and LV hypertrophy (LVH) degree, and have higher volume markers. Kaplan–Meier curves revealed that patients with a higher E/E′ ratio had worse survival and a higher risk of heart failure than those with a lower E/E′ ratio. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that non-diabetic patients with a higher E/E′ ratio had a higher risk of heart failure than those with a lower E/E′ ratio. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis indicated that the ECW/ICW ratio was strongly associated with LVDD and confirmed that the E/E′ ratio was an independent risk factor for overall death. Our study suggests that monitoring the E/E′ ratio in PD patients is important for improving their prognosis.

Enhancing healthcare quality and outcomes for peritoneal dialysis patients in Thailand: An evaluation of key performance indicators and PDOPPS cohort representativeness.

To assess whether the peritoneal dialysis (PD) centres included in the Peritoneal Dialysis Outcomes and Practise Patterns Study (PDOPPS) in Thailand are representative of other PD centres in the country, based on 8 key performance indicators (KPIs 1-8). A retrospective analysis was conducted comparing PD-related clinical outcomes between PD centres included in the PDOPPS (the PDOPPS group) and those not included (the non-PDOPPS group) from January 2018 to December 2019. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictors associated with achieving the target KPIs. Of 181 PD centres, 22 (12%) were included in the PDOPPS. PD centres in the PDOPPS group were larger and tended to serve more PD patients than those in the non-PDOPPS group. However, the process and outcome KPIs (KPIs 1-8) were comparable between the 2 groups. Large hospitals (≥120 beds), providing care to ≥100 PD cases and having experience for >10 years were independent predictors of achieving the peritonitis rate target of <0.5 episodes/year. Most PD centres in Thailand showed weaknesses in off-target haemoglobin levels and culture-negative peritonitis rate. The PD centres included in Thai PDOPPS were found to be representative of other PD centres in Thailand in terms of clinical outcomes. Thus, Thai PDOPPS findings may apply to the broader PD population in Thailand.

Impact of dialysis reimbursement policies on care outcomes in peritoneal dialysis patients in Taiwan

The number of treated end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients worldwide has rapidly grown. To prolong their lives ESRD patients require transplantation or dialysis treatment. Limited donor availability has caused most of the ESRD patients to rely on either hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD). Taiwan had the highest prevalence rate worldwide and sought to increase the PD utilization through a series of reimbursement incentives.This study evaluated the effect of those policy initiatives. A retrospective longitudinal study using a before-and-after analysis was conducted. ESRD patients initiating either PD or HD were identified from the entire population of Taiwan NHI's beneficiaries. PD patients, before and after the PD-encouraging initiatives, were matched through a propensity score technique, and the change in PD technical failure was analyzed. HD patients were also matched as the control group to assess the impact on PD mortality. The competing risk regression approach for survival analysis was adopted.The results indicate the increase in PD utilization during this period was also accompanied by increases in both technique failure and mortality. Since PD shifts more burden of care to patients, efforts to increase its utilization may require an increase in the education of providers and patients to benefit more effectively. It may also require an increase in staff to provide ongoing training and support as the policy unfolds.

Clinical features, management and outcomes of peritoneal dialysis patients during Delta and Omicron waves of COVID-19 infections.

There were discrete outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in 2021 (Delta wave) and 2022 (Omicron wave) in Singapore, which affected patients receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study included all PD patients with COVID-19 infection from a single center between October 2021 and March 2022. The clinical presentation, management and outcomes of patients during the Delta and Omicron outbreaks were compared. A total of 44 PD patients developed SARS-CoV-2 infection (23 during the Delta wave and 21 during the Omicron wave): median age 66 (60.5-68.5) years, male (63.6%), Chinese ethnic (77.3%), diabetes mellitus (56.8%), and cardiovascular disease (45.5%). Approximately, 93.2% received two doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine. Cough (81.8%) and fever (54.5%) were common presenting symptoms. Chest radiography showed ground glass opacity in 23.5% of patients, consolidation in 55.6%, and bilateral lung involvement in 33.3%. Eleven patients (25.6%) received antiviral therapy (Remdesivir), 7 (16.3%) received steroid, and 4 (9.3%) received monoclonal antibodies. Patients infected during the Delta wave were more likely to be hospitalized (73.9 vs 14.3%; p < 0.001) and receive antiviral therapy (39.1 vs 10.0%; p = 0.03) than those during the Omicron wave. The overall mortality rate was 11.4%, with significantly higher mortality during the Delta wave than during the Omicron wave (21.7 vs 0%; p = 0.03). The mortality rate was high among infected PD patients during Delta wave of COVID-19 infection. However, during the Omicron wave, most infected patients were treated in the community with favorable outcomes.

Catheter insertion techniques for improving catheter function and clinical outcomes in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Catheter insertion techniques for improving catheter function and clinical outcomes in peritoneal dialysis patients.

A retrospective study of baseline peritoneal transport character and left ventricular hypertrophy in incident peritoneal dialysis patients: interrelationship and prognostic impacts

Background Left ventricular hypertrophy is associated with adverse outcomes among peritoneal dialysis patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact of baseline left ventricular hypertrophy and its relationship with baseline peritoneal transfer characteristics in peritoneal dialysis patients. Methods We enrolled 151 incident peritoneal dialysis patients to perform a multicentric retrospective cohort study since January 1, 2017 to January 31, 2021. Patients were grouped based on baseline dialysate-to-plasma creatinine ratio at 4 h as follows: low (<0.50), low average (0.5–0.64), high average (0.65–0.80) and high (≥0.81). Echocardiography and clinic data were recorded yearly. The Cox proportional hazards models and competing risk model were used to evaluate patients’ survival. Generalized linear mixed models were performed to explore risk factors associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. Results During a median follow-up period of 33 months (range, 16–48 months), 21 (13.9%) patients died, including 16 (10.60%) cardiovascular deaths. Controlling the competing risks of switching to hemodialysis, kidney transplantation and loss to follow-up, baseline left ventricular hypertrophy was an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality (subdistribution hazard ratio, 2.645; 95% confidence interval, 1.156–6.056; p = 0.021). Baseline high and high average transport status were positively related to left ventricular mass index and left atrium diameter 2 years after PD initiation. Conclusion Baseline fast peritoneal solute transport rate may be an effect factor for aggravating left ventricular hypertrophy which predicted poor outcomes for peritoneal dialysis patients. The findings offered important ideas for further prospective intervention study.

Cardiac valve calcification as a predictor of cardiovascular outcomes in peritoneal dialysis patients: an inverse probability of treatment weighting analysis.

Cardiovascular events (CVE) are the leading cause of death in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. The predictive value of cardiac valve calcification (CVC) for CVE in dialysis patients remains controversial. In particular, such studies are limited in PD patients. We aimed to examine the predictive role of CVC for CVE and cardiovascular mortality in PD patients. A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who initiated PD in our hospital. According to the result of echocardiography, patients were divided into CVC group and non-CVC group. The differences in baseline demographic characteristics, biochemical variables, comorbidities, and clinical outcomes between the two groups were compared. Kaplan-Meier method was used to obtain survival curves. The Cox regression model was used to evaluate the influence of CVC for cardiovascular outcomes. The inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to eliminate influence of the confounders in the groups. 458 peritoneal dialysis patients were enrolled in this study. 77 patients were in CVC group and 381 patients in non-CVC group. The average follow-up time was (32 ± 21) months. At baseline, the absolute standardized difference (ASD) of age, BMI, history of CVE, diabetes, LVEF, LVMI, albumin, calcium, phosphorus, triglycerides, hsCRP, urine volume, Kt/V, statins and vitamin D intake rate were greater than 0.1 between the two groups. All of ASD dropped to less than 0.1 after IPTW, which meant that the balance had been reached between the two groups. Multivariable logistic analysis showed that advanced age, diabetes, and hyperphosphatemia were associated with CVC. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed the cumulative CVE-free survival rate and cardiovascular survival rate of CVC group were significantly lower than that of non-CVC group before and after IPTW (log-rank P < 0.05). After IPTW was used to eliminate the effect of confounders, multivariate Cox regression analysis still showed CVC was an independent risk factor for CVE (HR = 2.383, 95% CI 1.331~4.264, P = 0.003) and cardiovascular mortality (HR = 2.347, 95% CI 1.211~4.548, P = 0.012) in PD patients. The prevalence of CVC is high in peritoneal dialysis patients. CVC is an independent risk factor for CVE and cardiovascular mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Polypharmacy Predicts Onset and Transition of Frailty, Malnutrition, and Adverse Outcomes in Peritoneal Dialysis Patient.

Polypharmacy, frailty and malnutrition are known predictors of adverse outcomes in dialysis patients. Little has reported about their interaction and composite prognostic values. We aimed to describe the interaction between polypharmacy, frailty, nutrition, hospitalization, and survival in peritoneal dialysis patients. In this prospective cohort study, we recruited 573 peritoneal dialysis patients. Drug burden was measured by medication number and daily pill load. Frailty and nutrition were assessed by the validated Frailty Score (FQ) and Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) respectively. All patients were followed for two years. Primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were fall and fracture episodes, hospitalization, change in FQ and SGA. At baseline, each patient took 7.5 ± 2.6 medications with 15.5 ± 8.5 tablets per day. Medication number, but not daily pill load predicted baseline FQ (p = 0.004) and SGA (p = 0.03). Over 2 years, there were 69 fall and 1,606 hospitalization episodes. In addition, 148 (25.8%) patients died, while FQ and SGA changed by 0.73 ± 4.23 and -0.07 ± 1.06 respectively in survivors. Medication number (hospitalization: p = 0.02, survival: p = 0.005), FQ (hospitalization: p < 0.001; survival: p = 0.01) predicted hospitalization and survival. Medication number also predicted fall episodes (p = 0.02) and frailty progression (p = 0.002). Daily pill load did not predict any of these outcomes. Drug burden is high in peritoneal dialysis patients, and it carries important prognostic implication. Medication number but not pill load significantly predicted onset and progression of frailty, malnutrition, fall, hospitalization, and mortality.

Peritoneal Small Solute Transfer Rate (PSTR) vs. Clinical Outcome in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: Assessment by Restricted Mean Survival Times (RMST)

Peritoneal Small Solute Transfer Rate (PSTR) vs. Clinical Outcome in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: Assessment by Restricted Mean Survival Times (RMST)

Evaluation of Outcomes of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients in the Post-COVID-19 Period: A National Multicenter Case-Control Study from Turkey

Introduction: There are not enough data on the post-CO­VID-19 period for peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients affected from COVID-19. We aimed to compare the clinical and laboratory data of PD patients after COVID-19 with a control PD group. Methods: This study, supported by the Turkish Society of Nephrology, is a national, multicenter retrospective case-control study involving adult PD patients with confirmed COVID-19, using data collected from April 21, 2021, to June 11, 2021. A control PD group was also formed from each PD unit, from patients with similar characteristics but without COVID-19. Patients in the active period of COVID-19 were not included. Data at the end of the first month and within the first 90 days, as well as other outcomes, including mortality, were investigated. Results: A total of 223 patients (COVID-19 group: 113, control group: 110) from 27 centers were included. The duration of PD in both groups was similar (median [IQR]: 3.0 [1.88–6.0] years and 3.0 [2.0–5.6]), but the patient age in the COVID-19 group was lower than that in the control group (50 [IQR: 40–57] years and 56 [IQR: 46–64] years, p < 0.001). PD characteristics and baseline laboratory data were similar in both groups, except serum albumin and hemoglobin levels on day 28, which were significantly lower in the COVID-19 group. In the COVID-19 group, respiratory symptoms, rehospitalization, lower respiratory tract infection, change in PD modality, UF failure, and hypervolemia were significantly higher on the 28th day. There was no significant difference in laboratory parameters at day 90. Only 1 (0.9%) patient in the COVID-19 group died within 90 days. There was no death in the control group. Respiratory symptoms, malnutrition, and hypervolemia were significantly higher at day 90 in the COVID-19 group. Conclusion: Mortality in the first 90 days after COVID-19 in PD patients with COVID-19 was not different from the control PD group. However, some patients continued to experience significant problems, especially respiratory system symptoms, malnutrition, and hypervolemia.

Associations between liver function parameters and poor clinical outcomes in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) have significantly lower survival rates compared with the general population of the same age. Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an effective treatment for patients with ESRD, but the clinical outcome of PD patients is still not promising. The survival of PD patients is associated with various clinical factors, and exploring some valid risk predictors may be beneficial for this population. In this review, by integrating the latest research, we summarized the association of some common and novel liver function parameters (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, serum bilirubin, pre-albumin, albumin, albumin-globulin ratio [AGR], serum ferritin, and hyaluronic acid) with clinical outcomes in PD patients. It may contribute to a better understanding of potential risk factors and help to develop strategies to prevent the disease progression.

MO698: Evaluation of Outcomes of Peritoneal Dialysis Patients in the Post-Covid-19 Period: a National Multicenter Case–Control Study from Turkey

Abstract BACKGROUND AND AIMS There is not enough data on the post-COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) period for peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients affected from COVID-19. We aimed to compare the clinical and laboratory data retrospectively obtained in the follow-up of PD patients after COVID-19 with a control PD group. METHOD This study, supported by the Turkish Society of Nephrology, is a national multicenter retrospectively case–control study involving adult PD patients with confirmed COVID-19, using data collected from 21 April 2021 to 11 June 2021. A control PD group was also formed from each PD unit, from patients with similar characteristics but who did not have COVID-19. Patients in the active period of COVID-19 were not included. Data at the end of the first month and within the first 90 days, as well as other outcomes, including mortality, were investigated. RESULTS A total of 223 patients (COVID-19 group: 113, control group: 110) from 28 centers were included. The duration of PD in both groups was similar [median (IQR):3.0 (1.88–6.0) years and 3.0 (2.0–5.6)], but the patient age of the COVID-19 group was lower than the control group [50 (IQR:40–57) years and 56 (IQR:46–64) years, P &amp;lt; 0.001]. PD characteristics and baseline laboratory data were similar in both groups, except serum albumin and hemoglobin levels on Day 28, which were significantly lower in the COVID-19 group. In the COVID-19 group, respiratory symptoms, rehospitalization, lower respiratory tract infection, change in PD modality, UF failure and hypervolemia were significantly higher on the 28th day. There was no significant difference in laboratory parameters at Day 90. Only one (0.9%) patient in the COVID-19 group died within 90 days. There was no death in the control group. Respiratory symptoms, malnutrition and hypervolemia were significantly higher at Day 90 in the COVID-19 group. CONCLUSION Mortality in the first 90 days after COVID-19 in PD patients with COVID-19 is not different from the control PD group. However, some of these patients continue to experience significant problems, especially respiratory system symptoms, malnutrition, and hypervolemia.

Spiritual well-being and its relationship with patient characteristics and other patient-reported outcomes in peritoneal dialysis patients: Findings from the PDOPPS.

Spiritual well-being (SWB), an individual's understanding of the meaning and purpose of life, may help patients with chronic or terminal illnesses cope with their diseases. This study aimed to assess SWB in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), as well as its relationship with patient characteristics and patient-reported outcomes (PRO). The data were obtained from questionnaires that formed part of the PD Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (PDOPPS). Measures used in this study were SWB scores derived from the WHO quality of life, spirituality, religiousness and personal beliefs (WHOQOL-SRPB) tool including 32 items from eight facets; physical (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores of the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), Center of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-10 (CES-D-10) scores, burden of kidney disease scores and functional status scores. Overall, 529 out of 848 participants (62%) completely responded to the questionnaires and were included in the analysis. Over two-thirds of PD patients (70%) had moderate or higher SWB scores. The SWB scores were significantly lower in patients with age >65 years and unemployed status. SWB scores positively correlated with higher PCS, MCS, burden of kidney disease scores and functional status scores, while negatively correlated with depression scores by CES-D-10 scale. Patients who reported significant depressive symptoms (CES-D-10 score ≥ 10) had significantly lower SWB scores. Better SWB was significantly associated with better health-related QOL (HRQOL) and the absence of depressive symptoms. SWB may be an essential consideration in the delivery of high-quality PD.

Serum albumin at 1 year after peritoneal dialysis predicts long-term outcomes on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Background Hypoalbuminemia at baseline is a powerful predictor of long-term outcomes in peritoneal dialysis patients. However, the levels of serum albumin are dynamically changed during PD. The present study investigated whether the improvement of hypoalbuminemia during PD can affect the patients’ outcomes. Methods 436 consecutive incidents continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients were involved in this study. Demographic, hematologic, biochemical, and dialysis-related data at baseline as well as 1 year after PD were collected. All patients were followed for at least 1 year for mortality. Results Among the 436 patients, the mean age was 48.44 ± 14.98 years, with 58.26% males and 18.12% prevalence of diabetes. The mean follow-up time was 48.25 ± 24.05 months. During the follow-up period, a total of 68 patients died. Serum albumin was 34.35 ± 5.65 g/L at baseline, which increased to 37.39 ± 5.05 g/L at 1 year after PD. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that sex, age, BMI, diabetic nephropathy, as well as albumin at baseline were independently associated with albumin at 1 year. Every 1 year of age rise would result in a 3.9% increase in the risk of mortality (HR = 1.039, 95%CI 1.016–1.061, p = 0.001). Every 1 g/L increase in albumin at 1 year after PD confers an 8.7% decrease in the risk of mortality (HR = 0.913, 95%CI 0.856–0.973, p = 0.005). Conclusion The level of serum albumin was increased in the first year of PD. Serum albumin after 1 year of PD predicted mortality in peritoneal dialysis.

Relationship between sodium removal, hydration and outcomes in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Fluid overload (FO) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is associated with mortality. We explore if low daily sodium removal is an independent risk factor for mortality. We examined severely FO PD patients established for >1 year in expectation that PD prescription would have been optimized for solute clearance and ultrafiltration. We also wish to determine the relationship between kt/v and sodium removal. Retrospective analysis of 231 PD patients with FO ≥2.0L and compared with 218 PD patients who were euvolaemic throughout their PD treatment. Patients were followed up until death censored for transplantation. Mean daily sodium removal in overhydrated patients was only 75 mmoles (=1.7g). CAPD usage was more common in patients with the highest sodium removal. Achievement of UK guidelines for solute clearance and daily fluid removal were not independent predictors of mortality. Markers of sarcopenia (low serum albumin and high CRP) were associated with increased mortality, but these parameters were not independent predictors in a model that included functional assessment (Karnofsky score). Daily sodium removal was not predictive of mortality but the imprecision of clinically used sodium assay should be noted. The correlation between Na and kt/v is statistically significant but R2 was weak at .07. While diabetic males were more likely to become overhydrated, these factors did not increase mortality further. Traditional targets of 'dialysis adequacy' did not predict survival. Kt/v is not a good indicator of sodium removal which can be surprisingly low. Measuring sodium clearance may help clinicians optimize PD modality (CAPD vs. APD).

Association between self-reported appetite and clinical outcomes of peritoneal dialysis patients: Findings from a low middle-income country.

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) has gained international recognition as important predictors of clinical outcomes in peritoneal dialysis (PD). We sought to understand the associations between patient-reported appetite and clinical outcomes. In the Thailand Peritoneal Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (PDOPPS), 690 of 848 randomly selected PD patients from 22 facilities reported their appetite by using the short form (three items) of the Appetite and Diet Assessment Tool (ADAT), between 2016 and 2018. In this questionnaire, the patients rated their appetite as well as a change in appetite over time. Cox proportional hazards model regression was used to estimating associations between self-reported appetite and clinical outcomes, including mortality, haemodialysis (HD) transfer and peritonitis. Half of the PD patients reported a good appetite, whereas 34% and 16% reported fair and poor appetites, respectively. Poor appetite was more prevalent among female, diabetic, congestive heart failure, older age and patients who had worse nutritional indicators, including lower time-averaged serum albumin and serum creatinine concentrations, as well as a higher proportions of hypokalaemia and severe hypoalbuminemia (serum albumin <3 g/dl). After adjusting for age, sex, comorbidities, and PD vintage, poor appetite was associated with increased risks of peritonitis (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.14-2.62), HD transfer (adjusted HR 2.25, 95% CI 1.24-4.10) and all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 1.60, 95% CI 1.08-2.39) compared to patients with good appetite. Patient-reported poor appetite was independently associated with higher risks of peritonitis, HD transfer and all-cause mortality. This warrants further investigation to identify effective interventions.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio as a Predictor of Long-Term Outcome in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A 5-Year Cohort Study

Introduction: The mortality of peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients remains high. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), as an indicator of systemic inflammation, has been considered to be a predictor of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in hemodialysis patients. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between NLR and long-term outcome in PD patients. Materials and Methods: The study included patients who initiated PD for at least 3 months between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2015. All the patients were followed up until death, cessation of PD, or to the end of the study (June 31, 2018). NLR was calculated as the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes. Results: A total of 140 patients were included in this study. The median NLR reported was 2.87. Patients with lower NLR showed a higher survival rate than patients with higher NLR (log rank 6.886, p = 0.009). Furthermore, patients with higher NLR had a significantly higher cardiovascular mortality (log rank 5.221, p = 0.022). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model showed that older age (HR 1.054, 95% CI 1.017–1.092, p = 0.004), higher Ca × P (HR 1.689, 95% CI 1.131–2.523, p = 0.010), and higher NLR (HR 2.603, 95% CI 1.037–6.535, p = 0.042) were independent predictors of increased all-cause mortality. NLR was also independently associated with cardiovascular mortality (HR 2.886, 95% CI 1.005–8.283, p = 0.039). Higher NLR (HR 2.667, 95% CI 1.333–5.337, p = 0.006), older age (HR 1.028, 95% CI 1.005–1.052, p = 0.016), and history of cardiovascular disease (HR 1.426, 95% CI 1.195–3.927, p = 0.031) were significantly independently associated with poor peritonitis-free survival in this study. Conclusions: NLR could be a strong predictor of long-term outcome in PD patients.