The Role of Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis in Management of End-Stage Renal Disease

Abstract

An analysis of the management of end-stage renal disease during a seven-year period from a nephrologic centre serving a population of about 1 million points to the increasingly important role of chronic peritoneal dialysis. Whereas peritoneal dialysis previously was used mostly on acute indications, it is now accepted as alternative long-term therapy on a par with haemodialysis. During the study period there was a rise in the total number of dialyses concomitant with lower frequency of renal transplantation. In the last year, however, a dialysis plateau seemed to be reached, and peritoneal dialyses amounted to about 30% of the total. The prospects for chronic peritoneal dialysis are discussed and the recently presented method of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis is mentioned. A prominent place in the future management of end-stage renal disease is predicted for chronic peritoneal dialysis.