Is transition between peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis really a gradual process?

Background: Transfer to hemodialysis (HD) is a frequent cause of peritoneal dialysis (PD) cessation. In the present study, we set out to describe the transition period between PD and HD.

Methods: All patients in 4 centers of Basse-Normandie who had been treated with PD for more than 90 days and who were permanently transferred to HD between 1 January 2005 and 31 December 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. The rate of unplanned HD start was evaluated.

Results: In the 60 patients (39 men, 21 women) included in the study, median score on the Charlson comorbidity index at PD initiation was 5 [interquartile range (IQR): 3 - 7], median age at HD initiation was 62 years (IQR: 54 - 76 years), and median duration on PD was 22 months (IQR: 12 - 36 months). Among the 60 patients, 37 had an unplanned HD initiation. Peritonitis was the most frequent cause of unplanned HD start (n = 20), and dialysis inadequacy (n = 11), the main cause of planned HD start. During the transition period, all patients were hospitalized. Median duration of hospitalization was 4.5 days (IQR: 0 - 25.5 days). Within 2 months after HD initiation, 9 patients died. Two months after starting HD, 6 of the remaining 51 patients were being treated in a self-care HD unit and only 23 patients had a mature fistula.

Conclusions: Unplanned HD start is a common problem in patients transferred from PD. Further studies are needed to improve the rate of planned HD start in PD patients transferred to HD.