Dialysis treatment of insulin dependent diabetic patients: ten years experience.

From January 1973 to March 1983, 108 IDD patients with a mean age of 46 years were accepted to the dialysis program of the Hôpital de la Pitié. Since January 1973, 67 patients have been treated by hemodialysis. Since August 1978, 38 patients have been treated by CAPD. Three patients have been treated by intermittent peritoneal dialysis. Although diabetic patients remain at a higher risk compared to patients of the same age group, very encouraging results are observed including a 75% survival rate at three years among hemodialyzed patients less than 50 years old. Since 1978, CAPD, when home dialysis was possible, was selected as a first choice treatment. Some severe peritoneal complications still jeopardize the advantages of this method. Diabetics with ESRD, even in the older age group, should not be excluded from treatment. They should be offered within an integrated program all dialysis methods and transplantation.