Factors affecting patient survival and technical survival in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis

Background: This study was aretrospective investigation aimed at determining the factors affecting the termination of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in patients with end stage renal failure (ESRF). Methods: Patients monitored in our PD Unit between 2000 and 2012 were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded for each patient. Treatment outcomes (technical survival and patient survival) were obtained for the patients who dropped out of the PD treatment. These patients were separated into sub-groups according to ESRF etiologies, sociodemographic characteristics, working conditions, and properties related to PD. The survival data were analyzed by the Kaplan-Meierand Cox regression methods. Results: Of the 322 patients treated by PD, 249 dropped out of PD for reasons including exitus, peritonitis, renal transplantation, own request, dialysis, and ultrafiltration (UF) failure. Technical survival was significantly higher in patients who underwent PD under their own initiative, in patients with glomerulonephritis, and in patients whose first renal replacement treatment (RRT) was PD (P < 0.05). The key factor for technical survival was the albuminlevel at the end visit (P = 0.040). Low albumin levels at the last visit (P = 0.001, HR = 1.695) and patient age of 65 or over (P = 0.01, HR = 5.555) negatively affected patient survival, whereas active employment had a positive effect (P = 0.01, HR = 0.272). Conclusion: Technical survival and patient survival were affected by end visit albumin levels. Patient survival was also affected by patient age and employment status.