Analysis of risk factors for refractory peritonitis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Objective: To explore the risk factors for refractory peritonitis in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Methods: We retrospectively collected data from 130 patients who underwent peritoneal dialysis (PD) and received peritonitis treatment at the Renal Disease Center of Beijing Luhe Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University from January 1, 2016 to January 30, 2023. According to clinical treatment results, patients with refractory peritonitis were classified as the refractory group (n=52 cases), and those with non-refractory peritonitis were classified as the non-refractory group (n=78 cases). Baseline information and laboratory indicators of patients in each group were collected, and Logistic regression model was used to identify the risk factors for the poor prognosis of peritonitis patients.

Results: There were statistically significant differences in dialysis time, dialysate sugar concentration and inducement type between the refractory group and the non-refractory group (P<0.05). The values of peripheral white blood cells (pWBC), T helper 2 cell (Th2), T regulatory cell (Treg), Treg/Th17 and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the refractory group were significantly higher than those in the non-refractory group, while the values of T helper 17 cell (Th17) and albumin (ALB) were significantly lower (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in serum creatinine, blood urea, Th1, hemoglobin (Hb) and blood calcium levels between the two groups (all P>0.05). Gram-positive bacteria were the main pathogenic bacteria of peritonitis in all groups. The proportion of enterococcus/streptococcal peritonitis in the refractory group was higher than that in the non-refractory group (P<0.05). Logistic regression identified elevated pWBC, higher dialysate sugar concentration, exit-site infection and gram-negative bacteria infection as independent risk factors for refractory peritonitis in patients undergoing PD (all P<0.05).

Conclusion: Elevated pWBC, high glucose dialysate concentration, exit-site infection, and gram-negative bacteria infection are risk factors for refractory peritonitis in patients undergoing PD.