[Clinical aspects of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis in diabetics].

The treatment of end stage renal diabetic nephropathy remains a challenge. A large experience allows us to clearly outline the advantages and the drawbacks of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). 81 patients, mean age 51.3 years, were treated over the past nine years by CAPD-CCPD. Extrarenal complications, mainly vascular lesions, account for qualifying these patients as a high risk population. The technique was modified in order to inject insulin intraperitoneally, four times per day, to control blood glucose level. Peripheral vascular disease was prospectively studied in 19 patients. Actuarial survival was 92% at one year, 50% at four years mainly influenced by age: 85% survival at two years in 35 patients aged less than 50 years and 62% at two years in 46 patients aged more than 50 years. The main causes of death were of cardiovascular origin: arteritis, myocardial infarction, stroke. The main causes for transfer to an alternative method of treatment were technical complications. Peritonitis rate was one episode ever 14 months. Satisfactory control of blood pressure, blood glucose levels, main biological parameters, visual status were the clear advantages of the method. Peripheral vascular disease is not influenced by the technique. CAPD can be the technique of first choice in young diabetics awaiting a kidney transplant and the reference technique for home dialysis.