Non-Infectious Complications of Peritoneal Dialysis in Senegal

Abstract

Introduction: Senegal has pioneered the implementation of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in West Africa, practicing it since 2004. Non-infectious complications are a significant cause of failure of this technique and the transfer of patients to haemodialysis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and the different types of non-infectious complications in our context. Patients and Methods: This was a 5-year, descriptive, retrospective study of patients on chronic peritoneal dialysis for more than 3 months. Results: During the study period, 75 patients were included. The prevalence of non-infectious complications was 88%, including 45.3% mechanical complications and 76% metabolic complications. Catheter migration was the most common mechanical complication (55.9%), followed by catheter blockage (23.5%). Metabolic complications were dominated by hypoalbuminemia (76.3%). Dyslipidaemia and hypokalaemia affected more than 50% of patients, occurring in 59.3% and 56.9% of cases, respectively. Conclusion: In our study, non-infectious complications related to PD were frequent and varied. They remain a significant cause of technical failure. Mechanical complications are often the cause of permanent transfer to haemodialysis.

Estimated indirect costs of haemodialysis versus peritoneal dialysis from a patients’ perspective at an Academic Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa

“…Patients on PD must have a toilet in the home for disposing of dialysate and cleanliness requirements generally when applying PD requires clean water [ 52 ]. A study conducted in Senegal which looked at non-infectious complications of PD reported that mechanical complications such as catheter migration and metabolic complications such as hypoalbuminemia could be corrected by having experienced staff members inserting catheters and giving good nutritional advice before serious complications arise [ 53 ].…”