The treatment of diabetic renal failure by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis

Blood Glucose and Cholesterol Control Improved by Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease and Diabetes Mellitus

This longitudinal study was performed to evaluate the change of total cholestererol, triglycerides, and glucose control in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) during predialysis (PreD), on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and after kidney graft.

A total of 20 consecutive patients (7 women, 13 men, mean age 42 years) with IDDM and ESRD were studied retrospectively in 1991 during PreD and during CAPD. Twelve were also investigated after obtaining a kidney graft. Insulin was administered Intraperitoneally (CAPD period) and subcutaneously (PreD and transplant). The mean values of weight, serum albumin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), total cholesterol, and triglycerldes were calculated during each period. Patients were age and sex-matched with a group of healthy controls (Group 1) and with a group of patients with IDDM without nephropathy (Group 2). T-test statistics were used.

During CAPD, there were significant decreases in HbA1c (mean 8.1 mmol/L vs 12.1, p=0.003) and cholesterol (mean 6.1 mmol/L vs 7.1, p=0.025) compared to PreD. No differences were found between PreD and CAPD stages with regard to weight, serum albumin, or triglycerides. After transplantation an improvement was found In serum albumin compared to PreD and CAPD (mean value 40 g/L.vsvs 34 and 35, p<0.03), and HbA1c compared to PreD (9.6 mmol/L vs 12.1, p=0.014), if the pancreas transplanted were included. Patients compared to Group 1 or 2 showed no differences in total cholesterol or triglycerldes. HbA1c was higher in patients during PreD than in Group 2.

Peritoneal dialysis may not be a poor alternative for glucose and total cholesterol control in diabetic patients with ESRD. Transplantation further Improves serum albumin.

Blood glucose overestimation in diabetic patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for end-stage renal disease

AIMS

Diabetic patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) for renal failure depend on glucose analysers for regular monitoring of glycaemic control. We aim to inform health professionals of the potentially dangerous overestimation of blood glucose values by some analysers in patients using Icodextrin for dialysis.

METHODS

Twenty-five patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (10 patients on an 8-12-h nocturnal exchange of Icodextrin) had random glucose analysis performed on venous blood using standardized reference laboratory (lab) technique (glucose oxidase GOD-PAP), and simultaneously on capillary blood using the Precision Q.I.D System (glucose oxidase method) and the Advantage meter (glucose dehydrogenase method).

RESULTS

The Precision Q.I.D System agreed with the lab results in both the Icodextrin group and the non-Icodextrin group (80-90% of values fell within 20% of the corresponding lab result). In contrast, the Advantage meter agreed with the lab results only in the non-Icodextrin group (95% of values within 20% of the corresponding lab value), and not in the Icodextrin group, where only 5% of the analyser values fell within 20% of the corresponding lab value.

CONCLUSIONS

The Precision Q.I.D System, which utilizes glucose oxidase reaction, is safe for use in diabetic patients treated with Icodextrin. All analysers must be cross-checked with the laboratory reference method before use in these patients.

Diabetic end stage renal failure--the Wellington experience 1975-1988

Since the late 1970s patients with diabetic nephropathy have formed an increasing proportion of new entrants to the Hospital renal dialysis and transplantation programme, reaching 28% for the three year period to December 1988. Between 1 January 1975 and 31 December 1988, 87 diabetic patients were accepted for treatment. Fifty-one per cent were European, predominantly type I diabetics. Maori (9% of the total reference population) accounted for a disproportionately high 47% due to an over-representation by type II diabetic patients (34 of 41 Maori). These findings cannot be explained by the higher prevalence in Maori of type II diabetes but appear to be due to a more prevalent and/or aggressive diabetic renal lesion in this group. On commencing treatment, nearly all patients had retinopathy and the majority had evidence of peripheral vascular disease, hypertension and neuropathy. CAPD was the initial mode of renal replacement therapy in 70% of patients. Overall patient survival was 77% at one year and 42% at three years, and survival on CAPD was 76% and 37% at one and three years, respectively. Patient survival on transplantation was 63% at one year and 58% at three years. Graft survival was 51% at one year and 46% at three years. Although the short term outlook for diabetic patients on renal replacement therapy is encouraging, longer term survival compared to non-diabetic patients is poor. Vascular disease is the major cause of death and an important factor in patient morbidity.

Renal replacement treatment for diabetic patients in Newcastle upon Tyne and the Northern region, 1964-88

OBJECTIVES

To review the experience of renal replacement treatment in diabetic patients treated in Newcastle upon Tyne and the Northern region from 1964 to 1988, and to compare the morbidity and mortality of diabetic patients treated with dialysis or transplantation with those of matched controls of non-diabetic patients.

DESIGN

Retrospective study of clinical case notes.

SETTING

Renal units of the Northern region, particularly that in Newcastle upon Tyne.

PATIENTS

All 65 diabetic patients treated by renal replacement treatment in Newcastle upon Tyne from 1964 to 1987; 42 diabetic patients were matched with 42 non-diabetic patients according to age, sex, year of starting treatment, and type of treatment (dialysis or transplantation).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Sex, age, renal biopsy findings, blood pressure, history of diabetic treatment, and plasma creatinine concentration at the start of renal replacement treatment. History of renal replacement treatments, suitability for transplantation, history of transplantation, cumulative survival, and cause of death during follow up. Survival of technique, cumulative survival of the first peritoneal catheter and history of peritonitis in patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis; source of graft, histocompatibility antigens, duration of associated stay in hospital, and graft survival in patients receiving renal or pancreatic transplant.

RESULTS

1259 Patients with chronic renal failure were accepted for renal replacement treatment in Newcastle upon Tyne, of whom 65 (5%) had diabetes. The first was accepted in 1974, and between 1974 and 1980 another 15 were treated (mean age 42 years; 4% of new patients). From 1981 to 1987, 49 diabetic patients (mean age 44; 9% of new patients) were treated. Fifty patients (77%) had insulin dependent diabetes and the remaining 15 (23%) non-insulin dependent diabetes. On average, the patients were aged 25 (range 5-57) when diabetes was first diagnosed and 44 (range 24-70) at the start of renal replacement treatment. The mean age at the start of treatment was 40 for patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes and 58 for patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes. Transplantation was performed in 33 of the diabetic patients, whose mean age was lower than that of those who did not receive a transplant (41 v 48 respectively, p less than 0.05). Comparison between the 42 diabetic patients and matched controls showed that the overall survival at five years was 46% and 77% respectively. The three year survival of the diabetic patients who did not receive a transplant was poor (41% v 79% respectively). Of patients transplanted, survival at five years was 73% in the diabetic patients and 90% in the controls. However, there was no significant difference in the five year graft survival (64% v 46% respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Diabetes adversely affects morbidity and mortality in patients having renal replacement treatment, but renal transplantation seems to be the best option for treating diabetic patients with end stage renal failure.