ABSTRACT
The peritoneal equilibration test(PET) is used as a tool for determining the characteristics of the peritoneal membrane. Initial PET is recommended at least 1 month after peritoneal dialysis, but PET after 1 month may be difficult to perform on an out- patients basis. Two standard PETs(D/P4Cr) were per- formed in 60 CAPD patients(DM:non DM=22:38). Initial PETs, within one week after starting CAPD and follow up PETs, at least 3 months after CAPD were performed. The initial PET values were compared with subsequent PET values. Clinical data (age, sex, body surface area, BMI, presence of diabetes mellitus, ascites) and laboratory indices(serum albumin, dialysate creatinine clearance, KT/V, protein catabolic rate) were compared with the results of the PETs. In initial PET result, there was negative correlation between D/P4Cr and serum albumin(r=-0.522, p<0.001 N=60). There was no significant difference between initial and follow up(mean+/-S.D.:8.84+/-5.2months after CAPD) D/P4Cr(0.68+/-0.14 vs 0.68+/-0.13). But with passage of time, delta D/P4Cr and delta serum albumin were also negatively correlated (r=-0.459, p<0.001). According to the linear regression analysis, the factor significantly associated with D/P4Cr was serum albumin(coefficients -0.111). In conclusion, serum albumin level is the most important predictor of the peritoneal membrane transport characteristics, and it seems that the timing of PET does not matter, rather the changes of with time are strongly correlated with the changes of the serum albumin level.