Is the underutilization of peritoneal dialysis in relation to hemodialysis, as renal replacement therapy, justifiable worldwide? Yes or No

Peritoneal dialysis is the most important home dialysis treatment for end stage renal diseases and needs personal involvement, and support from the family. Peritoneal dialysis presented a number of discouraging technical problems and led to the belief that PD was not an appropriate renal replacement therapy, for patients with end stage renal disease. Despite the improvement of the method its rate remain low (11%) worldwide. The factors affecting the choice of PD are multiple and explain the disparity in the use of peritoneal dialysis in different countries and different parts of the same country. Dialysis costs and reimbursement structures are significant in decisions about the rates and modalities of renal replacement therapy. Late referral and the health care system seems to be very important factors that influence the dialysis modality choice. After the initiation of peritoneal dialysis we can see other factors that influence the survival of the method. The rate of peritonitis and the peritoneum function seems to be important issues. Hippokratia 2011; 15 (Suppl 1): 13-15