Adequacy of peritoneal dialysis.

Landmark studies relevant to the adequacy of peritoneal dialysis have recently been published. The Canada/USA peritoneal dialysis study has shown a relationship between clearance indices and patient survival rate, but the study is confounded by residual renal function. Registry data show conflicting results concerning survival rates on peritoneal dialysis and haemodialysis. The complicated pathogenesis of malnutrition in dialysis patients is now becoming further appreciated.