PD and the future: the role of PD in the overall management of ESRD.

Given the epidemic growth of ESRD and the high costs of dialysis therapy, there is an urgent need to define the optimal dialysis modality distribution. The factors influencing dialysis modality distribution are complex and not well understood. Based on survey results that have assessed the attitudes of nephrologists in Canada, the USA and the UK, it appears that there is underutilization of both peritoneal dialysis (PD) and home hemodialysis (HD) in these countries. Nephrologists have a positive attitude towards home therapies, and do not appear to be biased against PD. A planned approach to dialysis initiation, with active promotion of PD and home HD as the initial dialysis modality for suitable patients, would be expected to revive usage of home PD and allow for the emergence of daily home HD as a significant and exciting new modality. Copyright 2003 S. Karger AG, Basel