The peritoneal-renal syndrome.

In patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD), a strong inter-relationship exists between the peritoneal membrane and the kidney. This Perspectives article will focus on the mechanisms by which alterations in peritoneal membrane function may influence residual renal function and vice versa. In addition, it will discuss how exposure to PD solutions and inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system can simultaneously affect both the peritoneal membrane and the kidney. Similar to the cardiorenal syndrome, where changes in one organ system result in changes in the other, we propose the existence of a 'peritoneal-renal syndrome', with this novel term encompassing the complex interaction between the peritoneal membrane and the kidneys among patients on PD.