♦ Objective The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the risk factors for decline of residual renal function (RRF) in an incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) population. ♦ Design Prospective observational study of an incident PD cohort at a single center. ♦ Setting Tertiary-care institutional dialysis center. ♦ Participants The study included 146 consecutive patients commencing PD at the Princess Alexandra Hospital between 1 August 1995 and 1 July 2001 (mean age 54.8 ± 1.4 years, 42% male, 34% diabetic). Patients with failed renal transplants ( n = 26) were excluded. ♦ Main Measurements Timed urine collections ( n = 642) were performed initially and at 6-month intervals thereafter to measure RRF. The development of anuria was also prospectively recorded. ♦ Results The mean (±SD) follow-up period was 20.5 ± 14.8 months. The median slope of RRF decline was –0.05 mL/minute/month/1.73 m2. Using binary logistic regression, it was shown that the 50% of patients with more rapid RRF loss (< –0.05 mL/min/month/1.73 m2) were more likely to have had a higher initial RRF at commencement of PD [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.39 – 2.40] and a higher baseline dialysate/plasma creatinine ratio at 4 hours (D/P creat; AOR 44.6, 95% CI 1.05 – 1900). On multivariate Cox proportional hazards model analysis, time from commencement of PD to development of anuria was independently predicted by baseline RRF [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 0.81, 95% CI 0.60 – 0.81], D/P creat (HR 2.87, 95% CI 2.06 – 82.3), body surface area (HR 6.23, 95% CI 1.53 – 25.5), dietary protein intake (HR 2.87, 95% CI 1.06 – 7.78), and diabetes mellitus (HR 1.65, 95% CI 1.00 – 2.72). Decline of RRF was independent of age, gender, dialysis modality, urgency of initiation of dialysis, smoking, vascular disease, blood pressure, medications (including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors), duration of follow-up, and peritonitis rate. ♦ Conclusions The results of this study suggest that high baseline RRF and high D/P creat ratio are risk factors for rapid loss of RRF. Moreover, a shorter time to the onset of anuria is independently predicted by low baseline RRF, increased body surface area, high dietary protein intake, and diabetes mellitus. Such at-risk patients should be closely monitored for early signs of inadequate dialysis.

A significant percentage of patients with renal impairment are admitted to hospital on inappropriately high doses of drugs, with a high fractional renal excretion and low therapeutic index. Doses are appropriately reduced in hospital in some patients but there is still room for improvement [corrected].

The response rate and mean reduction in symptoms with gabapentin were small. Gabapentin prescribing posttrial was significantly influenced by the trial results.

In the absence of formal clinical trials, decisions regarding off-label use of rituximab are difficult. Our cases contribute to the published literature and should help provide clinicians with greater insights into which conditions are likely to respond. As can be seen in our series, rituximab benefits people with certain conditions; longevity and cost-effectiveness are currently unknown.