Thyroid Function Trends in Dialysis: Unveiling Peritoneal and Hemodialysis Disparities.

Background: The interplay between peritoneal dialysis (PD), residual kidney function (RKF), and thyroid function remains poorly understood, with limited prospective studies comparing thyroid function in PD versus hemodialysis (HD) patients.

Methods: This prospective single-center study assessed thyroid function in 18 PD patients over a 24-month follow-up period at the Department of Nephrology, Dialysis, and Kidney Transplantation, UHC Rijeka, Croatia. Data were compared to 24 concurrently treated HD patients.

Results: Initially, some PD patients exhibited elevated TSH levels, which normalized during follow-up despite longer dialysis duration. Compared to HD patients, PD patients demonstrated significantly higher T4 concentrations at baseline and higher FT4 concentrations at 12 and 24 months. Furthermore, FT3 levels were significantly higher in PD patients at baseline and at both 12 and 24 months, with T3 levels also within the reference interval after the beginning of the study. Additionally, a positive association was observed between T4 levels and 24-h diuresis after 12 months in PD patients.

Conclusion: Recognizing additional risk factors and potential impacts on RKF and cardiovascular comorbidities in dialysis patients can enhance patient care, influence dialysis modality selection, and guide ongoing patient monitoring. Thorough evaluation of thyroid function in PD and HD patients is essential for optimizing clinical outcomes and overall well-being. This study contributes to understanding the complex interplay between thyroid function, RKF, and dialysis modality, emphasizing the need for further research to inform comprehensive patient care strategies.