Experiences with Assisted Peritoneal Dialysis in China

Abstract

Objective About half the patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) in China need to be assisted by family members or home assistants. We explored whether these patients have a higher risk for peritonitis and death compared with self-care PD patients. Methods We prospectively followed 313 incident PD patients until death or censoring. This cohort was divided into assisted and self-care PD groups according to the independence of bag exchange. Data on baseline demographics, Charlson comorbidity index, biochemistry, and residual renal function were recorded during the first 3 – 6 months. The outcome variables were first episode of peritonitis and all-cause mortality. Results Of the 313 patients in this cohort study, 122 needed assistance in performing bag exchanges (86 from a family member, 36 from a home assistant); the remaining 191 patients did not need assistance. During a follow-up period averaging 44.5 months, 122 patients developed a first episode of peritonitis, and 135 patients died. Compared with patients having a family assistant, those with a home assistant had similar peritonitis-free and survival times, but a higher risk of mortality after adjustments for variables such as age, sex, Charlson comorbidity score, hemoglobin, serum albumin, and residual renal function. Furthermore, compared with self-care patients, assisted patients overall had a similar peritonitis-free time, but a higher risk of mortality, even after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions Based on our single-center experience in China, we conclude that assisted PD is a good option for patients with poor self-care ability. This result provides evidence for recruiting patients who need assistance to PD programs in China.