Nutritional effects of peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients

Peritonitis, a major complication of end-stage renal disease patients treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD), enhances peritoneal protein losses by increasing protein and energy requirements while simultaneously decreasing appetite, usually causing a negative nitrogen balance. The influence of peritonitis on the nutritional status of CAPD patients was evaluated. Fourteen end-stage renal disease patients being treated with CAPD and presenting with peritonitis were randomized to one group with and one without a nutritional supplement. Four CAPD patients without peritonitis served as controls. Anthropometric measurements, laboratory determinations, dietary protein intake, and protein catabolic rate were obtained. The control group lost an average of 9.6 gm protein per 24 hours in the peritoneal fluid vs an average of 15.1 gm protein per 24 hours lost by patients with peritonitis (p<.01). Serum albumin did not decrease except in two diabetic patients in whom it dropped an average of 42% and remained low. Nitrogen balance remained positive in all patients except one with diabetes who had very low daily protein intake and caloric intake. The catabolism produced by short uncomplicated peritonitis did not create a negative nitrogen balance in patients eating at least 1 gm protein per kilogram ideal body weight (IBW) and 25 kcal/kg IBW.