Impact of residual renal function on clinical outcome and quality of life in patients on peritoneal dialysis

We studied the impact of residual renal function (RRF) on clinical outcome and quality of life in 61 patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). They were assigned to two groups, at the time of initiation of PD, based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The high RRF group had eGFR ≥5 mL/min/1.73 m^[2] and the low RRF group hade GFR <5 mL/min/1.73 m^[2]. All patients were followed up at regular intervals for clinical and biochemical variables. Baselines characteristics including age, sex, body mass index and cause of the kidney disease were similar in both groups. The high RRF group had a higher rate of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis discontinuation. The incidence of peritonitis was higher in the low RRF group. Other infections (cellulitis, gastroenteritis, sepsis) were more common in patients with low RRF, compared to the high RRF group. The quality of life as assessed by depression score, restless leg syndrome, and sleep quality were poor in patients with reduced RRF. We found that a high RRF at the time of initiation of PD, significantly decreased the incidence of infections, depression, better nutrition, and lower levels of alkaline phosphatase; providing indirect evidence of better renal clearance of phosphorous, in those with preserved RRF.