Peritoneal dialysis is a safe and efficient alternative to haemodialysis for unplanned dialysis patients. Peritoneal dialysis offers the advantage of reducing the need for tunnelled catheter in unplanned dialysis patients.

The aim of this study was to estimate the incidence of COVID-19 disease in the French national population of dialysis patients, their course of illness and to identify the risk factors associated with mortality. Our study included all patients on dialysis recorded in the French REIN Registry in April 2020. Clinical characteristics at last follow-up and the evolution of COVID-19 illness severity over time were recorded for diagnosed cases (either suspicious clinical symptoms, characteristic signs on the chest scan or a positive reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) for SARS-CoV-2. A total of 1,621 infected patients were reported on the REIN registry from March 16th, 2020 to May 4th, 2020. Of these, 344 died. The prevalence of COVID-19 patients varied from less than 1% to 10% between regions. The probability of being a case was higher in males, patients with diabetes, those in need of assistance for transfer or treated at a self-care unit. Dialysis at home was associated with a lower probability of being infected as was being a smoker, a former smoker, having an active malignancy, or peripheral vascular disease. Mortality in diagnosed cases (21%) was associated with the same causes as in the general population. Higher age, hypoalbuminemia and the presence of an ischemic heart disease were statistically independently associated with a higher risk of death. Being treated at a selfcare unit was associated with a lower risk. Thus, our study showed a relatively low frequency of COVID-19 among dialysis patients contrary to what might have been assumed.

PD is a suitable method for elderly patients. In order to increase the rate of PD utilization in elderly patients, the need for the funding of assisted peritoneal dialysis has to be taken into account.

SummaryBackground and objectives This study assessed whether assisted peritoneal dialysis (PD) was associated with a lower risk for technique failure using methods developed for survival analysis in the presence of competing risks. Results There were 5286 patients undergoing assisted PD; 4230 of these were assisted by a community nurse and 1056 by family. Assisted PD patients were older and had a higher Charlson comorbidity index than self-care PD patients. There were 7594 events: 3495 deaths, 2464 transfers to hemodialysis, 1489 renal transplantations, and 146 renal function recoveries. According to a Cox model, assistance and center size were associated with a lower risk for technique failure, whereas hemodialysis before PD, early peritonitis, and transplantation failure were associated with a higher risk for transfer to hemodialysis. A Fine and Gray regression model showed that assisted PD was associated with a lower risk for transfer to hemodialysis. ConclusionsCompared with patients undergoing self-care PD, those with assisted PD had a lower risk for transfer to hemodialysis, a higher risk for death, and a lower risk for transplantation.

The Registre de Dialyse Péritonéale de Langue Française (RDPLF Registry) is a non-profit association that has been set up to assist physicians and nurses in evaluating their practical experience and results regarding peritoneal dialysis (PD). Five French-speaking and two Spanish-speaking countries have participated in this initiative (which includes 21 000 patients). In France, 82% of all PD patients are included in the registry and the main results for the period from 1995 to January 2006 form the basis of this report: of 11 744 incident patients with a median age of 71 years, 21.5% were over 80 years of age and 56% were not able to perform PD treatment at home without assistance. Eighty-six percent of the latter group received external assistance from a private nurse and 14% were aided by their family. The overall average rate of peritonitis was one episode every 29 months. The probability of being peritonitis-free appeared to be better for patients on automated PD (59.4% at 2 year) than for those on continuous ambulatory PD (55.3%), but this finding requires further validation. The average waiting time before transplantation was about 2 years. In patients who had undergone transplantation, the peritonitis rate was one episode per 42 months before transplantation compared to one episode per 29 months for patients who had not received a transplant. Eighty-three percent of patients had a hemoglobin level greater than 11 g%. Catheter survival was 92% at 2 years post-insertion and 85% at 5 years, with 94% being implanted by experienced surgeons. In conclusion, the RDPLF results demonstrate that PD may be successfully prescribed for older patients who receive assistance either from their family or from a nurse. Further, a larger number of younger patients should also be prescribed this technique in France. Patients eligible for transplantation and on short-term PD have the lowest risk of developing peritonitis; PD before transplantation may help prolong residual renal function, and initial treatment by PD may also help to preserve vascular access for the future.

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Patients treated by HD before PD and failed transplant patients had a higher risk of early PD failure when competing events were considered.

Background The French healthcare system offers the possibility of increasing the use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) by involving in patient care nurses who work in the private system. Objective This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of a private home-nurse network on one dialysis program. Methods This was a retrospective study of 239 dialysis patients who started dialysis in our center between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2003. Results Of these 239 patients, 142 were treated with hemodialysis and 97 with PD during the study period. Among the PD patients, 36 of 97 were treated with assisted PD and 61 of 97 with self-care PD. Assisted-PD patients were older (74 ± 10 vs 52 ± 18 years, p < 0.001) and presented more comorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index 7 ± 2.5 vs 4.3 ± 2.4, p < 0.05) compared with self-care patients. Continuous ambulatory PD was the modality of choice in the assisted group (32/36). Assisted patients were frequently hospitalized (31/36); actuarial survival free of hospitalization at 6 months was 46%. Patients with nurse assistance had a high risk of peritonitis (actuarial survival free of peritonitis: 52% at 1 year). Technique survival was 85% at 6 months and 58% at 1 year. Actuarial patient survival was 90% at 6 months and 83% at 1 year. Conclusion Assisted PD enables increased use of PD in incident dialysis patients. However, in view of the comorbidities of the assisted-PD patients, the need for frequent hospitalization has to be taken into account in such a program.