Serum albumin levels of patients on peritoneal dialysis with or without peritonitis: a single center study

Juntana Chukasorn ¹, Nithat Torbunsupachai ², Asawin Rungpattanakijchai ¹, Siribha Changsirikulchai²

PD Center, Sena Hospital, Ayutthaya, Thailand ¹, Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine,Srinakharinwirot University, Thailand ²

Purpose: Hypoalbuminemia and peritonitis (PN) are common problems in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study aims to compare serum albumin levels of patients on PD with and without PN.

Method: Data of PD patients at Sena Hospital registered in Database of Peritoneal dialysis in EXcel(DPEX)during May 2011 to November 2018 were analyzed. Patients were classified into 2 groups. Group 1 was patients without peritonitis. Group 2 was patients with history of peritonitis. Serum albumin levels in unit of g/dL at
baseline, at 2 months before PN, and at the last follow up were reported in mean ± SD and compared between 2 groups.

Result: There were 149 (89 males and 60 females) patients included. Patients who were diabetes were 96 (64.4%) cases. Patients with history of PN and without PN were 54 (36.2%) and 95 (63.8%) cases, respectively. Number of diabetic patients with PN was 31 (57.4%) cases. Number of diabetic patients without PN was 65 (68.4%) cases. Patients with PN had serum albumin levels at the baseline higher than patients without PN (3.45±0.71 vs 3.14±0.68 g/dL; p<0.05). Serum albumin levels at 2 months before PN were declined in patients with PN (2.73±0.72 g/dL). Serum albumin levels at the last follow up in patients with PN were lower than those in patients without PN (2.31±0.79 vs 2.50±0.66 g/dL; p>0.05).

Conclusion: Hypoalbuminemia has relationship with PN in patients on PD. It may be a risk and effect of PN.Interventions to increase albumin levels may reduce risk of PN.