Association between peritoneal protein excretion, peritonitis and D/P phosphate, in patients on peritoneal dialysis

Introduction: There is a relationship between increased transfer of solutes (increased D/P creatinine) and decreased ultrafiltration, increased mortality and risk of technique failure in peritoneal dialysis patients. High rates of solute transport are associated with increased peritoneal protein excretion (PPE) and this has been associated with an increased risk of peritonitis. Our objective was to evaluate the possible association between the PPE, the number of episodes of peritonitis and the DIP phosphate. Material and methods: A prospective longitudinal cohort study in PD patients. DIP phosphate, PPE, the number of episodes of peritonitis, as well as adequacy parameters and clinical and biochemical variables were measured. Results: We included 60 patients on ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. We found a significant positive correlation (r=.369, p=.005) between the DIP phosphate and PPE, as well as between the PPE and the number of episodes of peritonitis (r=.65, p=.044). Finally, we found that the higher PPE and the higher DIP phosphate, lower serum albumin (r=-0.50, p=.001 and r=-0.621, p=.000, respectively). Conclusions: The EPP is significantly associated with the number of episodes of peritonitis and the DIP phosphate.