Is continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis the best dialysis choice for insulin dependent diabetics?

In the last eight years 100 insulin dependent diabetics (IDD) have been dialysed at the Hôpital de la Pitié. Since August 1978 31 have been started on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). Cumulative duration of treatment was 336 patient months, with an average time of 10.8 months. The actuarial technique success rate was 82 per cent at one year and 65 per cent at 18 months. Causes of drop out were seven deaths and six transfers to haemodialysis. The peritonitis rate was one episode every year. For some IDD patients and within the period of observation, CAPD offers a unique opportunity to be dialysed at home with excellent clinical and biological results.