Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CRPD)--an initial Indian experience

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is a widely accepted mode of renal replacement therapy. CAPD is largely underutilised in India. Twenty patients of chronic renal failure (CRF) were started on CAPD-10 on the standard straight set, 10 on the Y-set. The efficacy of CAPD was evaluated by assessment of laboratory parameters at the onset and after three months of CAPD. Significant improvements in blood, urea, serum creatinine, serum bicarbonate, serum calcium, serum phosphorous, haemoglobin level and blood pressure were observed. There was a significant deterioration in the serum lipid and protein levels on CAPD. Peritonitis was a major complication observed. On the standard set the incidence of peritonitis was one episode per 5.92 patient months compared to one episode per 19.33 patient months with the Y-set (P value = 0.05). Peritonitis occurred more frequently in the summer months. At the end of one year, 70% patients continued on CAPD, with 3 deaths, one each due to malnutrition, myocardial infarction and tunnel infection. Three patients switched over to other replacement therapies. To conclude, CAPD can emerge as a safe, viable mode of renal replacement in developing countries like India.