Barriers and opportunities to increase PD incidence and prevalence: Lessons from a European Survey

Introduction: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains underutilised and unplanned start of dialysis further diminishes the likelihood of patients starting on PD, although outcomes are equal to haemodialysis (HD). Methods: A survey was sent to members of EuroPD and regional societies presenting a case vignette of a 48-year-old woman not previously known to the nephrology department and who arrives at the emergency department with established end-stage kidney disease (unplanned start), asking which dialysis modality would most likely be chosen at their respective centre. We assessed associations between the modality choices for this case vignette and centre characteristics and PD-related practices. Results: Of 575 respondents, 32.8%, 32.2% and 35.0% indicated they would start unplanned PD, unplanned HD or unplanned HD with intention to educate patient on PD later, respectively. Likelihood for unplanned start of PD was only associated with quality of structure of the pre-dialysis program. Structure of pre-dialysis education program, PD program in general, likelihood to provide education on PD to unplanned starters, good collaboration with the PD access team and taking initiatives to enhance home-based therapies increased the likelihood unplanned patients would end up on PD. Conclusions: Well-structured pre-dialysis education on PD as a modality, good connections to dedicated PD catheter placement teams and additional initiatives to enhance home-based therapies are key to grow PD programs. Centres motivated to grow their PD programs seem to find solutions to do so.

Outcome and Safety of Unplanned-Start Peritoneal Dialysis according to Break-In Periods: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> The best timing of peritoneal dialysis (PD) initiation after catheter implantation is still controversial. It is necessary to explore whether there exists a waiting period to minimize the risk of complications. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A systematic review and meta-analysis were searched in multiple electronic databases published from inception to February 29, 2020, to identify cohort studies for evaluating the outcome and safety of unplanned-start PD (&#x3c;14 days after catheter insertion). Risks of bias across studies were evaluated using Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Fourteen cohort studies with a total of 2,401 patients were enrolled. We found that early-start PD was associated with higher prevalence of leaks (RR: 2.67, 95% CI, 1.55–4.61) and omental wrap (RR: 3.28, 95% CI, 1.14–9.39). Furthermore, patients of unplanned-start PD in APD group have higher risk of leaks, while those in CAPD group have a higher risk of leaks, omental wrap, and catheter malposition. In shorter break-in period (BI) group, the risk of suffering from catheter obstruction and malposition was higher for patients who started dialysis within 7 days after the surgery than for patients within 7–14 days. No significant differences were found in peritonitis (RR: 1.00; 95% CI, 0.78–1.27) and exit-site infections (RR: 1.12; 95% CI, 0.72–1.75). However, shorter BI was associated with higher risk of mortality and transition to hemodialysis (HD) while worsen early technical survival, with pooled RR of 2.14 (95% CI, 1.52–3.02), 1.42 (95% CI, 1.09–1.85) and 0.95 (95% CI, 0.92–0.99), respectively. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Evidence suggests that patients receiving unplanned-start PD may have higher risks of mechanical complications, transition to HD, and even mortality rate while worsening early technical survival, which may not be associated with infectious complications. Rigorous studies are required to be performed.

P1178FEASIBILITY OF UNPLANNED START IN PERITONEAL DIALYSIS (PD)

Background and Aims Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing worldwide and there is a rising need for renal replacement therapies (RRT). PD has multiple advantages over hemodialysis (HD), but in most patients requiring an unplanned start HD is the selected RRT. Method We retrospectively analyzed all patients started on unplanned PD in our unit from January 2006 until April 2019. Demographics, blood test parameters and complications were collected. Unplanned start on PD was defined as initiating PD less than 4 weeks after PD catheter implantation. Results Of 14 patients, 8 were referred from ACKD clinic, 3 were failing renal transplants and 3 previous PD patients that required catheter replacement due to severe peritonitis. Fluid overload with rapid decline in kidney function was the acute trigger for RRT in 4 patients and 1 had a nephrectomy. Late referral with uremic symptoms was the reason for unplanned start in 5 patients. Two patients (14.2%) had mechanical complications that did not require surgical intervention. None had infections related to technique. PD was performed by our PD unit nursing staff in all cases and technique was well tolerated. Results are summarized in table 1. Conclusion PD is a safe and valid option even when an unplanned start on RRT is required. It did not show higher morbidity nor mortality in our series, allowing avoidance of central lines in our patients and preserving vascular capital. Furthermore, PD is a less expensive technique than HD. Nursing staff support is key to develop it.

Peritoneal Dialysis: Turning Choice into Reality

Background Peritoneal dialysis (PD) utilization rates vary widely between UK renal centers. Currently there are only limited data available on how many patients choose PD but subsequently fail to start their chosen modality. In the current analysis we sought to explore the outcomes of patients who chose PD in our center where all PD catheters are inserted via a mini-laparotomy with no acute-start PD service. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 658 patients over a 12-year period who, following predialysis education had chosen PD as their preferred renal replacement therapy (RRT) modality. Data were collected on patient demographics, start modality, transplantation, patient survival, and the reasons patients failed to start PD. Results Predialysis education was given to 2,749 patients, and 658 (24%) chose PD. Of the 566 (86%) who either started RRT or died, less than half started PD ( n = 273, 48%). The commonest reason to start hemodialysis (HD) was an acute decline in kidney function leading to an effective ‘unplanned’ start on RRT. As a result, despite adjusting for older age and higher comorbidity, the transplant-censored survival at 3 years from the time of start of RRT was predictably worse in patients starting HD. Less than half the patients who started HD went on to commence PD later. Conclusion Unanticipated decline in kidney function leading to unplanned start on HD contributes to the worse outcomes associated with failing to start PD. How and when we insert PD catheters appears to be key, and we have identified ways to improve our service.

Unplanned Start on Peritoneal Dialysis Right after Pd Catheter Implantation for Older People with End-Stage Renal Disease

Unplanned start on dialysis remains a major problem for the dialysis community worldwide. Late-referred patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and urgent need for dialysis are overrepresented among older people. These patients are particularly likely to be started on in-center hemodialysis (HD), with a temporary vascular access known to be associated with excess mortality and increased risks of potentially lethal complications such as bacteremia and central venous thrombosis or stenosis. The present paper describes in detail our program for unplanned start on automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) right after PD catheter implantation and summarizes our experiences with the program so far. Compared with planned start on PD after at least 2 weeks of break-in between PD catheter implantation and initiation of dialysis, unplanned start may be associated with a slight increased risk of mechanical complications but apparently no detrimental effect on mortality, peritonitis-free survival, or PD technique survival. In our opinion and experience, the risk of serious complications associated with the implantation and immediate use of a PD catheter is less than the risk of complications associated with unplanned start on HD with a temporary central venous catheter (CVC). Unplanned start on APD is a gentle, safe, and feasible alternative to unplanned start on HD with a temporary CVC that is also valid for the late-referred older patient with ESRD and urgent need for dialysis.