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Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO457

Exploring Peritoneal Dialysis Exits from a Canadian Cohort

Session Information

  • Home Dialysis - 1
    October 25, 2024 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
    Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Dialysis

  • 802 Dialysis: Home Dialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis

Authors

  • MacRae, Jennifer M., University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • Woodside, Tessa A. M., University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • Muzammal, Bushra, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • Smith, Terry J., Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • Jones, Susan A., Alberta Health Services, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
  • Shah, Nikhil A., University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Background

Growth in a peritoneal dialysis (PD) program is challenging to achieve. In order to increase the number of people receiving PD, the total number of people exiting should be less than the number of new starts. We sought to better understand the PD exits in our program in order to develop interventions to reduce the attrition from PD.

Methods

A 14 month retrospective review of the Alberta Kidney Care (AKC) PD program (comprised of a northern (AKCN, 317 pts) and a southern (AKCS, 298 pts) program with a focus on the reasons why people exited PD from November 1, 2022 until Dec 31, 2023. Differences between programs and between sexes were explored using descriptive statistics and Chi Square where appropriate. The primary outcome was the reason for exit from PD.

Results

During the study period 615 people received PD; 230 patients exited PD during this time frame. There were no differences in demographics between the 2 programs with the overall mean age of 61 ±16.3 years, comorbidities of DM 43% (123), CVD 91% (210) and heart failure 27% (63) and mean time on PD of 2.2 ± 1.9 years. Overall, 37% (230/615) exited PD, 45% (103) transferred to facility-based hemodialysis (HD), 21.3% (49) were transplanted, 19.1% (44) died and 11% (26) withdrew from dialysis. Patients who transferred to HD received PD for a similar amount of time (2.13 ±2.00) as compared to those who were transplanted (2.01± 1.92) or died (2.53 ± 1.88 years). The main reasons for transfer to HD included medical 43% (44), peritonitis 32% (33), and hernia/leaks 24% (24). Despite similar PD peritonitis rates, AKCN had more exit site (8.6% vs 1%) and tunnel (17.1% vs 3%) infections than AKCS. Catheter complications occurred more frequently in AKCS with more leaks (21% vs 8.6%) and catheter associated pain (10% vs 2.9%) in AKCS vs AKCN respectively.

Conclusion

There was a high turnover of people on PD with the majority transferring to HD for reasons of PD related infections and medical etiology. Strategies to reduce PD related infections will be helpful to reduce PD losses in our program. Further research into the differences in catheter complications and PD infections between the two programs is needed.