Comparison of peritonitis rates during long-term use of standard spike versus Ultraset in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD).

Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is an increasingly popular means of end-stage renal disease replacement therapy. Unfortunately, peritonitis continues to be a major source of both morbidity and mortality. The Ultraset incorporates a "flush-before-fill" concept which should theoretically decrease peritonitis rates when compared to the standard spike procedure, while allowing patients the convenience of disconnect. To investigate the impact of long-term use of the Ultraset on peritonitis rates, we conducted the following study. We prospectively compared 21 new CAPD patients using the standard spike to 20 new CAPD patients using the Ultraset. Peritonitis episodes, episodes of exit-site infection, and the association of peritonitis with exit-site infection were monitored. Peritonitis rates were 7.57 months/episode for the group using the standard spike vs. 27.79 months/episode in the group using the Ultraset. Exit-site infection rates were 22.21 months/infection with the standard spike vs. 37.05 months/infection with the Ultraset. Using Kaplan-Meier plots, there was a statistically significant difference in the estimated time to the first episode of peritonitis, but there was no statistically significant difference regarding the risk of exit-site infections.