scholarly journals Peritoneal Dialysis in Western Countries

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 157-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dirk G. Struijk
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Patient Survival ◽  
Western World ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Peritoneal Membrane ◽  
Western Countries ◽  
Medical Issues ◽  
East And West ◽  
End Stage

Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) for the treatment of end-stage renal failure was introduced in the 1960s. Nowadays it has evolved to an established therapy that is complementary to hemodialysis (HD), representing 11% of all patients treated worldwide with dialysis. Despite good clinical outcomes and similar results in patient survival between PD and HD, the penetration of PD is decreasing in the Western world. Summary: First the major events in the history of the development of PD are described. Then important insights into the physiology of peritoneal transport are discussed and linked to the changes in time observed in biopsies of the peritoneal membrane. Furthermore, the developments in peritoneal access, more biocompatible dialysate solutions, automated PD at home, the establishment of parameters for dialysis adequacy and strategies to prevent infectious complications are mentioned. Finally non-medical issues responsible for the declining penetration in the Western world are analyzed. Key Messages: Only after introduction of the concept of continuous ambulatory PD by Moncrief and Popovich has this treatment evolved in time to a renal replacement therapy. Of all structures present in the peritoneal membrane, the capillary endothelium offers the rate-limiting hindrance for solute and water transport for the diffusive and convective transport of solutes and osmosis. The functional and anatomical changes in the peritoneal membrane in time can be monitored by the peritoneal equilibrium test. Peritonitis incidence decreased by introduction of the Y-set and prophylaxis using mupirocin on the exit site. The decrease in the proportion of patients treated with PD in the Western world can be explained by non-medical issues such as inadequate predialysis patient education, physician experience and training, ease of HD initiation, overcapacity of in-center HD, lack of adequate infrastructure for PD treatment, costs and reimbursement issues of the treatment. Facts from East and West: (1) PD is cheaper than HD and provides a better quality of life worldwide, but its prevalence is significantly lower than that of HD in all countries, with the exception of Hong Kong. Allowing reimbursement of PD but not HD has permitted to increase the use of PD over HD in many Asian countries like Hong Kong, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, as well as in New Zealand and Australia over the last years. In the Western world, however, HD is still promoted, and the proportion of patients treated with PD decreases. Japan remains an exception in Asia where PD penetration is very low. Lack of adequate education of practitioners and information of patients might as well be reasons for the low penetration of PD in both the East and West. (2) Patient survival of PD varies between and within countries but is globally similar to HD. (3) Peritonitis remains the main cause of morbidity in PD patients. South Asian countries face specific issues such as high tuberculosis and mycobacterial infections, which are rare in developed Asian and Western countries. The infection rate is affected by climatic and socio-economic factors and is higher in hot, humid and rural areas. (4) Nevertheless, the promotion of a PD-first policy might be beneficial particularly for remote populations in emerging countries where the end-stage renal disease rate is increasing dramatically.

scholarly journals Peritoneal Dialysis in Asia

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 147-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vickie Wai-Ki Kwong ◽  
Philip Kam-Tao Li
Keyword(s):  
Renal Failure ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
End Stage Renal Failure ◽  
East And West ◽  
End Stage

Background: There is a growing demand of dialysis in Asia for end-stage renal failure patients. Diabetes mellitus is the leading cause of end-stage renal failure in many countries in Asia. Summary: The growth of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in Asia is significant and seeing a good trend. With the enhanced practices of PD, the quality of care in PD in Asia is also improved. Overall, PD and hemodialysis (HD) are comparable in clinical outcome. There is a global trend in the reduction of peritonitis rates and Asian countries also witness such improvement. The socio-economic benefits of PD for end-stage renal failure patients in both urban and rural areas in the developed and developing regions of Asia are an important consideration. This can help to reduce the financial burden of renal failure in addressing the growing demand of patients on dialysis. Initiatives should be considered to further drive down the cost of PD in Asia. Key Messages: Growing demand for dialysis by an increasing number of end-stage renal failure patients requires the use of a cost-effective quality dialysis modality. PD is found to be comparable to HD in outcome and quality. In most countries in Asia, PD should be more cost-effective than HD. A ‘PD-first' or a ‘PD as first considered therapy' policy can be an overall strategy in many countries in Asia in managing renal failure patients, taking the examples of Hong Kong and Thailand. Facts from East and West: (1) PD is cheaper than HD and provides a better quality of life worldwide, but its prevalence is significantly lower than that of HD in all countries, with the exception of Hong Kong. Allowing reimbursement of PD but not HD has permitted to increase the use of PD over HD in many Asian countries like Hong Kong, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand, as well as in New Zealand and Australia over the last years. In the Western world, however, HD is still promoted, and the proportion of patients treated with PD decreases. Japan remains an exception in Asia where PD penetration is very low. Lack of adequate education of practitioners and information of patients might as well be reasons for the low penetration of PD in both the East and West. (2) Patient survival of PD varies between and within countries but is globally similar to HD. (3) Peritonitis remains the main cause of morbidity in PD patients. South Asian countries face specific issues such as high tuberculosis and mycobacterial infections, which are rare in developed Asian and Western countries. The infection rate is affected by climatic and socio-economic factors and is higher in hot, humid and rural areas. (4) Nevertheless, the promotion of a PD-first policy might be beneficial particularly for remote populations in emerging countries where the end-stage renal disease rate is increasing dramatically.

scholarly journals Sustainability of the Peritoneal Dialysis-First Policy in Hong Kong

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 320-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Shin-Man Choy ◽  
Philip Kam-Tao Li
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Training Programme ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Ultrafiltration Failure ◽  
Average Annual Cost ◽  
The Government ◽  
Stage Renal Disease ◽  
End Stage

In Hong Kong, the average annual cost of haemodialysis (HD) per patient is more than double of that of peritoneal dialysis (PD). As the number of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has surged, it has posed a great financial burden to the government and society. A PD-first policy has been implemented in Hong Kong for three decades based on its cost-effectiveness, and has achieved successful outcomes throughout the years. A successful PD-first policy requires medical expertise in PD, the support of dedicated staff and a well-designed patient training programme. Addressing patients' PD problems is the key to sustainability of the PD-first policy. In this article, we highlight three important groups of patients: those with frequent peritonitis, ultrafiltration failure or inadequate dialysis. Potential strategies to improve the outcomes of these groups will be discussed. Moreover, enhancing HD as back-up support and promoting organ transplantation are needed in order to maintain sustainability of the PD-first policy.

scholarly journals A disposable, ultra-fine endoscope for non-invasive, close examination of the intraluminal surface of the peritoneal dialysis catheter and peritoneal cavity

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masaaki Nakayama ◽  
Chieko Hamada ◽  
Keitaro Yokoyama ◽  
Yudo Tanno ◽  
Nanae Matsuo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Clinical Study ◽  
Peritoneal Cavity ◽  
Abdominal Cavity ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter ◽  
Peritoneal Membrane ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Luminal Side ◽  
Stage Renal Disease ◽  
End Stage

Abstract The ability to visualize intraluminal surface of peritoneal dialysis (PD) catheter and peritoneal cavity could allow elucidation of the cases of outflow problems, and provide information on changes to the peritoneal membrane leading to encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis. A non-invasive examination that allows those monitoring in need is desirable. We have developed a disposable ultra-fine endoscope that can be inserted into the lumen of the existing PD catheter, allowing observation of the luminal side of the catheter and peritoneal cavity from the tip of the PD catheter, with minimum invasion in practice. In a pre-clinical study in pigs and a clinical study in 10 PD patients, the device provided detailed images, enabling safe, easy observation of the intraluminal side of the entire catheter, and of the morphology and status of the peritoneal surface in the abdominal cavity under dwelling PD solution. Since this device can be used repeatedly during PD therapy, clinical application of this device could contribute to improved management of clinical issues in current PD therapy, positioning PD as a safer, more reliable treatment modality for end-stage renal disease.

scholarly journals Patient Survival Between Hemodialysis and Peritoneal Dialysis Among End-Stage Renal Disease Patients Secondary to Myeloperoxidase-ANCA-Associated Vasculitis

2022 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xueqin Wu ◽  
Yong Zhong ◽  
Ting Meng ◽  
Joshua Daniel Ooi ◽  
Peter J. Eggenhuizen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Renal Disease ◽  
End Stage Renal Disease ◽  
Patient Survival ◽  
Dialysis Initiation ◽  
Dialysis Modality ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Stage Renal Disease ◽  
End Stage

BackgroundA significant proportion of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) associated glomerulonephritis eventually progresses to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) thus requiring long-term dialysis. There is no consensus about which dialysis modality is more recommended for those patients with associated vasculitis (AAV-ESRD). The primary objective of this study was to compare patient survival in patients with AAV-ESRD treated with hemodialysis (HD) or peritoneal dialysis (PD).MethodsThis double-center retrospective cohort study included dialysis-dependent patients who were treated with HD or PD. Clinical data were collected under standard format. The Birmingham vasculitis activity score (BVAS) was used to evaluate disease activity at diagnosis and organ damage was assessed using the vasculitis damage index (VDI) at dialysis initiation.ResultsIn total, 85 patients were included: 64 with hemodialysis and 21 with peritoneal dialysis. The patients with AAV-PD were much younger than the AAV-HD patients (48 vs. 62, P < 0.01) and more were female (76.2 vs. 51.6%, P = 0.05). The laboratory data were almost similar. The comorbidities, VDI score, and immuno-suppressive therapy at dialysis initiation were almost no statistical difference. Patient survival rates between HD and PD at 1 year were 65.3 vs. 90% (P = 0.062), 3 year were 59.6 vs. 90% (P < 0.001), and 5 years were 59.6 vs. 67.5% (P = 0.569). The overall survival was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.086) and the dialysis modality (HD or PD) was not shown to be an independent predictor for all-cause death (hazard ratio (HR) 0.73; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31–1.7; P = 0.473). Cardio-cerebrovascular events were the main cause of death among AAV-HD patients while infection in patients with AAV-PD.ConclusionThese results provide real-world data that the use of either hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis modality does not affect patient survival for patients with AAV-ESRD who need long-term dialysis.

scholarly journals Increased peritoneal membrane transport is associated with decreased patient and technique survival for continuous peritoneal dialysis patients. The Canada-USA (CANUSA) Peritoneal Dialysis Study Group.

1998 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 1285-1292 ◽  
Author(s):  
D N Churchill ◽  
K E Thorpe ◽  
K D Nolph ◽  
P R Keshaviah ◽  
D G Oreopoulos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Serum Albumin ◽  
Membrane Transport ◽  
Patient Survival ◽  
Peritoneal Membrane ◽  
Dialysis Patients ◽  
Technique Survival ◽  
Survival Probabilities ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Technique Failure

The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of peritoneal membrane transport with technique and patient survival. In the Canada-USA prospective cohort study of adequacy of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), a peritoneal equilibrium test (PET) was performed approximately 1 mo after initiation of dialysis; patients were defined as high (H), high average (HA), low average (LA), and low (L) transporters. The Cox proportional hazards method evaluated the association of technique and patient survival with independent variables (demographic and clinical variables, nutrition, adequacy, and transport status). Among 606 patients evaluated by PET, there were 41 L, 192 LA, 280 HA, and 93 H. The 2-yr technique survival probabilities were 94, 76, 72, and 68% for L, LA, HA, and H, respectively (P = 0.04). The 2-yr patient survival probabilities were 91, 80, 72, and 71% for L, LA, HA, and H, respectively (P = 0.11). The 2-yr probabilities of both patient and technique survival were 86, 61, 52, and 48% for L, LA, HA, and H, respectively (P = 0.006). The relative risk of either technique failure or death, compared to L, was 2.54 for LA, 3.39 for HA, and 4.00 for H. The mean drain volumes (liters) in the PET were 2.53, 2.45, 2.33, and 2.16 for L, LA, HA, and H, respectively (P < 0.001). After 1 mo CAPD treatment, the mean 24-h drain volumes (liters) were 9.38, 8.93, 8.59, and 8.22 for L, LA, HA, and H, respectively (P < 0.001); the mean 24-h peritoneal albumin losses (g) were 3.1, 3.9, 4.3, and 5.6 for L, LA, HA, and H, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean serum albumin values (g/L) were 37.8, 36.2, 33.8, and 32.8 for L, LA, HA, and H, respectively (P < 0.001). Among CAPD patients, higher peritoneal transport is associated with increased risk of either technique failure or death. The decreased drain volume, increased albumin loss, and decreased serum albumin concentration suggest volume overload and malnutrition as mechanisms. Use of nocturnal cycling peritoneal dialysis should be considered in H and HA transporters.

Biocompatibility of New Peritoneal Dialysis Solutions: What Can We Hope to Achieve?

2000 ◽  
Vol 20 (5_suppl) ◽  
pp. 57-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sung Hee Chung ◽  
Peter Stenvinkel ◽  
Jonas Bergström ◽  
Bengt Lindholm
Keyword(s):  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Patient Survival ◽  
Fluid Overload ◽  
Systemic Effects ◽  
Peritoneal Membrane ◽  
Local Effects ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Baxter Healthcare ◽  
And Function ◽  
Mia Syndrome

Despite the bioincompatibility of the “old”, standard, high glucose, lactate-buffered peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions, PD is itself a highly successful dialysis modality with patient survival equivalent to that of hemodialysis (HD) during the initial 3 – 5 years of dialysis therapy. Nevertheless, PD technique survival is often limited by infectious complications and alterations in the structure and function of the peritoneal membrane. These local changes also have a negative impact on patient survival owing to systemic effects such as those often seen in patients with high peritoneal transport rate and loss of ultrafiltration (UF) capacity. Patient mortality remains unacceptably high in both HD and PD patients, with most premature deaths being associated with signs of malnutrition, inflammation, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (MIA syndrome). These systemic signs are likely to be influenced by PD solutions both directly and indirectly (via changes in the peritoneal membrane). New, biocompatible PD solutions may have favorable local effects (viability and function of the peritoneal membrane) and systemic effects (for example, on MIA syndrome). Amino acid–based solution [Nutrineal (N): Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Deerfield, IL, U.S.A.] may improve nutritional status as well as peritoneal membrane viability. Bicarbonate/lactate–buffered solution [Physioneal (P): Baxter Healthcare Corporation] may ameliorate local and systemic effects of low pH, high lactate, and high glucose degradation products. Icodextrin-based solution [Extraneal (E): Baxter Healthcare SA, Castlebar, Ireland] may improve hypertension and cardiovascular problems associated with fluid overload and may extend time on therapy in patients with loss of UF capacity. The positive effects of each of these new, biocompatible solutions have been demonstrated in several studies. It is likely that the combined use of N, P, and E solutions will produce favorable synergies in regard to both local effects (peritoneal viability) and systemic effects (less malnutrition, inflammation, and fluid overload). Solution combination is an exciting area for clinical study in the coming years. Furthermore, dialysis fluid additives such as hyaluronan, which protects and improves the function of the peritoneal membrane, may further improve PD solutions. The new, biocompatible PD solutions represent an entirely new era in the evolution of the PD therapy; they are likely to have markedly positive effects on both PD technique and PD patient survival in coming years.

Letter To The Editor

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 98 (4) ◽  
pp. 797-798
Author(s):  
Harald H. Knöbel ◽  
Chien-Jen Chen ◽  
Kung-Yee Liang
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome ◽  
Infant Death ◽  
Sudden Infant Death ◽  
Sudden Infant ◽  
Autopsy Rate ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Western Countries ◽  
Letter To The Editor

We are grateful to Steven Koehler for his comments on our study on sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and air pollution in Taiwan.1 The criticism focuses on the autopsy rate and the new, but well-referenced finding, that in Taiwan, and probably other Asian countries, the majority of classic SIDS is coded as suffocation. Following is an itemized reply to the issues raised. SIDS has been assumed to be a phenomenon of western countries. In China and Hong Kong it is thought to be virtually nonexistent2,3 Japan and Taiwan have officially published rates that are extremely low.4,5

Association between Redox Status of Serum Albumin and Peritoneal Membrane Transport Properties in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paik Seong Lim ◽  
Hung-Ping Chen ◽  
Chang-Hsu Chen ◽  
Ming Yin Wu ◽  
Chuen Yuh Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Renal Disease ◽  
Serum Albumin ◽  
Membrane Transport ◽  
End Stage Renal Disease ◽  
Redox Status ◽  
Peritoneal Membrane ◽  
Transport Characteristic ◽  
Stage Renal Disease ◽  
End Stage

Background: Albumin, the most abundant protein in the extracellular fluid, displays an important antioxidant activity. Increased levels of oxidized albumin levels (high human non-mercaptoalbumin (HNA) level) have been reported in the serum of patients with end-stage renal disease. In this study, we attempted to identify the albumin redox status in the serum of patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) and examined the relationship between these proteins and the transport type of the peritoneal membrane and other clinical and laboratory variables. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of a cohort of 80 patients with end-stage renal disease receiving PD. Peritoneal transport characteristics were identified and after peritoneal equilibration test patients were grouped as high (high(H)/high-average (HA) group, n = 31) or low (low (L)/low-average (LA) group, n = 49) transporters. The redox state of human serum albumin was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: The fraction of human mercaptoalbumin (HMA) showed significantly higher values in patients with high transport status than those with low transport status (f(HMA) 64.0 ± 5.4 and 52.7 ± 10.4%, respectively). Our data showed that the H/HA transport characteristic was associated with lower albumin (3.76 ± 0.48 vs. 4.00 ± 0.35, p < 0.05), and lower levels of advanced oxidized protein product (p = 0.008) when compared with the L/LA type. A correlation analysis showed that there was a positive correlation between dialysate/plasma (D/P) creatinine and f(HMA) levels (r = 0.511, p < 0.0001), as well as hemoglobin levels r = 0.231, p = 0.044 and a negative correlation between D/P creatinine and serum albumin, cholesterol and LDL levels (r = -0.236, p = 0.039; r = -0.237, p = 0.038; r = -0.272, p = 0.018, respectively). Conclusions: This study showed that higher serum levels of reduced albumin f(HMA) appear to be associated with high/high average peritoneal membrane transport characteristics in the incident PD patients.

scholarly journals Acute Kidney Injury in Asia

2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 95-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Yang
Keyword(s):  
Acute Kidney Injury ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Renal Replacement Therapy ◽  
North America ◽  
Replacement Therapy ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Environmental Toxins ◽  
Asian Countries ◽  
Western Countries ◽  
Tropical Areas

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common disorder and is associated with a high morbidity and mortality worldwide. The diversity of the climate and of the socioeconomic and developmental status in Asia has a great influence on the etiology and presentation of AKI in different regions. In view of the International Society of Nephrology's 0by25 initiative, more and more attention has been paid to AKI in Asian countries. Summary: In this review, we summarize the recent achievements with regard to the prevalence and clinical patterns of AKI in Asian countries. Epidemiological studies have revealed the huge medical and economic burden of AKI in Eastern Asian countries, whereas the true epidemiological picture of AKI in the tropical areas is still not well understood. In high-income Asian regions, the presentation of AKI resembles that in other developed countries in Europe and North America. In low-income regions and tropical areas, infections, environmental toxins, and obstetric complications remain the major culprits in most cases of AKI. Preventive opportunities are missed because of failure to recognize the risk factors and early signs of AKI. Patients often present late for treatment or are recognized late by physicians, which leads to more severe kidney injury, multiorgan involvement, and increased mortality. There is significant undertreatment of AKI in many regions, and medical resources for renal replacement therapy are not universally available. Key Messages: More efforts should be made to increase public awareness, establish preventive approaches in communities, educate health-care practitioner entities to achieve better recognition, and form specialist renal teams to improve the treatment of AKI. The choice of renal replacement therapy should fit patients' needs, and peritoneal dialysis can be practiced more frequently in the treatment of AKI patients. Facts from East and West: (1) More than 90% of the patients recruited in AKI studies using KDIGO-equivalent criteria originate from North America, Europe, or Oceania, although these regions represent less than a fifth of the global population. However, the pooled incidence of AKI in hospitalized patients reaches 20% globally with moderate variance between regions. (2) The lower incidence rates observed in Asian countries (except Japan) may be due to a poorer recognition rate, for instance because of less systematically performed serum creatinine tests. (3) AKI patients in South and Southeastern Asia are younger than in East Asia and Western countries and present with fewer comorbidities. (4) Asian countries (and to a certain extent Latin America) face specific challenges that lead to AKI: nephrotoxicity of traditional herbal and less strictly regulated nonprescription medicines, environmental toxins (snake, bee, and wasp venoms), and tropical infectious diseases (malaria and leptospirosis). A higher incidence and less efficient management of natural disasters (particularly earthquakes) are also causes of AKI that Western countries are less likely to encounter. (5) The incidence of obstetric AKI decreased globally together with an improvement in socioeconomic levels particularly in China and India in the last decades. However, antenatal care and abortion management must be improved to reduce AKI in women, particularly in rural areas. (6) Earlier nephrology referral and better access to peritoneal dialysis should improve the outcome of AKI patients.

Development of the “Peritoneal Dialysis First” Model in Hong Kong

2007 ◽  
Vol 27 (2_suppl) ◽  
pp. 53-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex Wai-Yin Yu ◽  
Ka-Foon Chau ◽  
Yiu-Wing Ho ◽  
Philip Kam-Tao Li
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Chronic Hemodialysis ◽  
Dialysis Unit ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Maintenance Dialysis ◽  
The 1960S ◽  
Stage Renal Disease ◽  
End Stage

Maintenance dialysis is an expensive treatment modality for patients with end-stage renal-disease (ESRD). The number of patients on maintenance dialysis is rising rapidly and will reach 2.5 million globally by 2010. The predicted expenditure will be US$1 trillion. Since the 1960s, Hong Kong has faced financial restraints on the provision of dialysis. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and automated peritoneal dialysis at home were found to be less expensive than in-centre chronic hemodialysis. The development of a “peritoneal dialysis first” (PD-First) policy has contributed significantly to a successful dialysis program in Hong Kong since 1960. Currently in Hong Kong, 80% of ESRD patients on maintenance dialysis are on PD, mainly CAPD; 20% are on hemodialysis. The success of the PD-First policy is a combination of accumulated experience of PD in each dialysis unit that has at least 200 CAPD patients under care and of impressive technique and patient survival rates for this modality. Concerted effort by government and charity organizations and commitment on the part of nephrologists and nursing staff to patient education are also important in making the PD program in Hong Kong a successful one.

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