Successful Peritoneal Dialysis in Large-Weight Subjects: Clinical Features and Comparisons with Normal-Weight Subjects.

Abstract

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) obviates the need for temporary vascular access in end-stage renal disease; however, extremely heavy weight has been viewed as a relative contraindication to PD.We performed a cross-sectional review of multiple clinical and laboratory variables for 75 current or past PD patients (vintage > 6 months), comparing dialysis adequacy parameters for those with a large body weight (>100 kg, LWS group) and with a normal body weight (<75 kg, NWS group).In the LWS group (n = 17), mean weight was 117.2 ± 15.7 kg, and mean body mass index (BMI) was 37.2 ± 6.3 kg/m²; in the NWS group (n = 33), mean weight was 63.2 ± 9.2 kg, and mean BMI was 25.3 ± 4.5 kg/m². Despite the marked differences in weight and BMI between the groups (both p < 0.0001), achieved Kt/V was adequate, although marginally less, in large subjects (1.96 ± 0.29 for the LWS group vs. 2.22 ± 0.47 for the NWS group, p = 0.022), and weekly global creatinine clearance was significantly better in the LWS group (92.5 ± 43.5 L/1.73 m² vs. 62.2 ± 27.5 L/1.73 m², p = 0.016). The total daily exchange volume was approximately 30% higher in the LWS group (12.8 ± 2.5 L vs. 9.9 ± 2.2 L, p < 0.0001). Residual creatinine clearance (p = 0.224) and residual urine output (p = 0.125) were similar and did not seem to influence the results. Compared with their LWS counterparts, members of the NWS group were more likely to have higher iron saturation (p = 0.053) and serum ferritin (p = 0.004), but lower achieved hemoglobin (p = 0.055).Successful PD is feasible in larger-weight individuals; however, given the retrospective nature of the present study, prospective trials are needed to confirm that observation.