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Background: We analyzed a large number of demographic and biochemical variables to identify predictors of hospitalization in subjects on peritoneal dialysis (PD)., Methods: All patients initiated on PD at our center from January 1990 through December 1999 were included. The following variables at the initiation of PD were included: demographics, clinical data, nutritional and adequacy parameters, transport characteristics, and various co-morbidities. Co-morbidities were graded for severity using a modified version of the Index of Coexistent Disease. Variables included during the course of PD consisted of weighted time average of a number of laboratory, adequacy, and nutritional parameters along with the number of peritonitis episodes per year. Stepwise linear regression was used following a univariate screening procedure to identify independent predictors of the outcome of hospitalization days per month on PD., Results: The subject population consisted of 191 subjects (105 men, 86 women; 180 Caucasians, 10 African-American, 1 Asian). The mean age was 61 +/- 13 (SD) years and mean duration of follow-up was 21 +/- 18 months. The baseline variable analysis revealed that the presence of partner to perform PD predicted increased hospitalization (p < 0.0001). Additionally, the presence and severity of peripheral vascular disease and residual renal Kt/V at baseline (negative association) predicted increased hospitalization. In the analyses of ongoing variables, stepwise linear regression solely identified weighted time average albumin as a strong negative predictor of hospitalization (p < 0.0001)., Conclusion: A comprehensive analysis of a large number of variables revealed that serum albumin during the course of PD (negative association) and the need for partner to perform PD strongly predicted increased hospitalization in PD subjects., (2007 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Intraabdominal pressures were measured during natural activities in 6 men, age 24-62 years, treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. The pressures were measured with a pressure transducer secured at the level of the umbilicus in the supine, sitting, and upright positions with 0-3 liters intraperitoneal fluid during talking, coughing, straining, changing position, walking, jogging, exercycling, jumping and weight lifting. Coughing and straining generated the highest intraabdominal pressures in every position. The pressures with weight lifting were proportional to the magnitude of the weight lifted up to 50 lbs, but were lower than those during coughing and straining. The pressures were generally higher with greater intraabdominal fluid volumes, especially with jumping and coughing. Exercycling was associated with lower intraabdominal pressure than was jogging, and the pressures were only minimally influenced by intraperitoneal fluid volumes. The results of this study can be used as a guide in establishing preventive measures in patients with intraperitoneal fluid to decrease complication rates related to raised intraabdominal pressures such as dialysate leaks, hernias and hemorrhoids.