THE TREATMENT OF CHRONIC RENAL-INSUFFICIE NCY BY PERITONEAL-DIALYSIS - PATIENT AND TECHNIQUE SURVIVAL

Chronic peritoneal dialysis, especially continuous ambulatory peritone al dialysis, is now a modality of treatment for patients with end stag e renal failure. The proportion of patients varies considerably from c ountry to country. Non medical considerations seem to be the main reas on for the limited development of the treatment modality. Most of avai lable reports point out no difference in patient or technique survival s on hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Age, diabetes mellitus, card iovascular diseases, infections complications (peritonitis and exit-si te infections) impact on mortality and morbidity (number of hospital d ays per patient per year). The probability of death or dropout is much higher for patients with diabetes and patients in older age groups. M ost patients with end stage renal failure, especially those waiting fo r a kidney transplant, are suitable for peritoneal dialysis.