Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in patients with diabetes mellitus

Aim. To analyse the results of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (C APD) in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, to specify complications, to evalu ate transport characteristics of peritoneal membrane. Material and methods. The ability of peritoneal membrane to eliminate low-m olecular substances (creatinine, urea), electrolytes and to evaluate treatm ent efficacy by residual renal function (peritoneal equilibration, total ur ine and creatinine clearance). Results. DM patients on CAPD developed vascular complications typical for D M:gangrene (n=2), diabetic foot (n=4), acute disorder of cerebral circulati on (n=3), acute myocardial infarction (n=3). Diabetics' residual renal func tion deteriorated faster than in patients with non-diabetic uremia, though transport characteristics of the peritoneum in diabetics and non-diabetics were the same. Peritonitis in diabetics was observed much less frequently t han in non-diabetics. Conclusion. CAPD is an adequate replacement therapy inpatients with uremia of different origin in; eluding diabetes. In the course of the treatment DM patients develop complications typical for basic disease but their frequen cy is unrelated to CAPD.