Objective We analyzed malfunction rates (obstruction, omental wrapping, displacement) and catheter survival for self-locating catheters as compared with other Tenckhoff catheter designs. Patients and Methods We conducted our survey at two centers, prospectively studying all self-locating catheters implanted from May 1997 to October 2000 and used for peritoneal dialysis (PD). Tenckhoff catheters of other designs used previously in our units were used as the control group. We analyzed removal causes and catheter survival. Results We studied 173 catheters (105 self-locating catheters, 53 straight catheters, and 15 coiled catheters) implanted in 139 patients (43% of them women) with a mean age of 53 ± 14 years. The analysis of catheter removal showed that 3 of 105 self-locating catheters, 3 of 15 coiled catheters, and 17 of 53 straight catheters were removed owing to malfunction (c 2: p = 0.0000). Kaplan–Meier curves showed that the bulk of removals for malfunction occurred within the first 3 months after PD start. The group of self-locating catheters showed better survival (log-rank: p = 0.0009). Other causes for catheter removal included peritonitis ( n = 22), exit-site infection alone ( n = 4), and end of PD treatment ( n = 66). No significant differences were seen in the annual peritonitis rate (straight-tip: 0.955 ± 2.315 episodes annually; coiled-tip: 0.651 ± 0.864 episodes annually; self-locating: 0.720 ± 1.417 episodes annually; t-test: p > 0.400). No gut or bladder perforations were observed. Conclusion In our survey, self-locating catheters were associated with better survival and fewer removals for malfunction than were Tenckhoff catheters of other designs.

Objective To evaluate catheter-related complications among self-locating and other variants of Tenckhoff catheters. Patients and Methods We studied all self-locating catheters implanted in our hospitals from May/97 to Dec/05. We extended the follow-up to Jun/05. We collected demographic data, causes of catheter withdrawal and dropping of PD. We studied data about technique and catheter related complications. Results We included 328 catheters in 285 patients. There were 258 self-locating, 55 straight and 15 curled. There was a higher rate of catheter withdrawal due to malfunction in patients with straight or pig-tail catheters than in self-locating ones (log-rank, p<0.001). Conclusion In our patients, self-locating catheters have a lower malfunction rate than other variants of Tenckhoff catheters.

We conducted a retrospective study with 750 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients in a Spanish multicenter registry between 1993 and 1999 to analyze comorbidity and mortality in type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2D) and nondiabetic (ND) patients. 163 patients (21.7%) were diabetic – 96 T1D (58.8%) and 67 T2D (42.2%) – while 587 were not (78.3%). Different comorbidity factors such as the presence of cardiovascular disease, age over 70 and dyslipidemia at the start of PD were analyzed as well as the incidence of peritonitis, the peritonitis-free interval, need for hospitalization, mortality rate, early mortality rate, survival curves (log rank) and the impact factor (Cox) on mortality for the different variables. The comorbidity index (number of comorbidity factors when starting the treatment) and the peritonitis incidence were higher for T2D. Hospitalization rates were similar, but mortality rates were higher for T2D and early mortality rates (death during the 1st year of treatment) were higher for T1D. The actuarial survival curves showed a higher mortality for T2D with no differences between ND and T1D after adjustment for age. The mortality odds ratio was 1.78 for T2D and 1.13 for T1D, differences which were not significant after adding age over 70 and cardiovascular disease to the variables analyzed. Our results show that associated comorbidity is the most important difference between ND, T1D and T2D. While cardiovascular comorbidity is responsible for the higher percentage of early mortality found in T1D when compared to ND, both age and cardiovascular disease are responsible for the higher comorbidity and mortality found in T2D.

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Our prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in CAPD patients was lower than other renal replacement therapy modalities, and correlated to events occurring mainly before starting CAPD treatment. This technique could be considered as low risk for HCV infection.