Quality of life and the relative superiority of different peritoneal dialysis modalities.

摘要

Quality of Life (QOL) during chronic treatment is very important. Even small improvements may be of great value. Studies regarding the relative superiority of various peritoneal dialysis (PD) modalities are most wanted. Peritoneal dialysis can be performed either manually, as in continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD), or using a mechanical device, as in automated PD (APD). Ideally a large prospective randomized study would answer the question, but such a study is very difficult to perform. In a Cochrane report (1), only three small randomized controlled trials (2,3,4) involving a total of 139 patients could be identified after an extensive literature search. No difference between CAPD and APD for clinically important outcomes was found. However, the Cochrane report concluded that, in a selected group of PD patients, such those who are younger and those who are in employment or education, APD may be considered advantageous because of its psychosocial advantages. Those outcomes were reported only in one trial.