This publication of the Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) and Clinical Practice Recommendations (CPRs) for Peritoneal Dialysis Adequacy represents the second update of these guidelines since the first guideline on this topic was published in 1997. The first set of guidelines established the importance of measuring the dose of dialysis in all long-term peritoneal dialysis patients. Several of these guidelines have been selected as clinical performance measures by regulatory agencies to drive the process of quality improvement in long-term dialysis patients.
A number of important randomized clinical trials have been performed in long-term peritoneal dialysis patients since the publication of the first set of guidelines. The Adequacy of Peritoneal Dialysis in Mexico (ADEMEX) Study, an industry-sponsored randomized clinical trial of dialysis dose, is one of the largest studies to date performed in long-term peritoneal dialysis patients. Other large clinical trials in peritoneal dialysis patients have been conducted in Hong Kong. The results of these and other studies of long-term peritoneal dialysis patients have been included in the literature review for this updated set of guidelines and are reflected in new minimum levels for the dose of dialysis. In addition, this update includes new guidelines on the preservation of residual kidney function, the management of volume status and blood pressure, and the importance of patient education on all dialysis modalities.
This document has been divided into 3 major areas. The first section consists of guideline statements that are evidence based. The second section is a new section that consists of opinion-based statements that we are calling “clinical practice recommendations,” or CPRs. These CPRs are opinion based and are based on the expert consensus of the Work Group members. It is the intention of the Work Group that the guideline statements in Section I can be considered for clinical performance measures because of the evidence that supports them. Conversely, because the CPRs are opinion based, and not evidence based, they should not be considered to have sufficient evidence to support the development of clinical performance measures. The third section consists of research recommendations for these guidelines and CPRs. We have decided to combine all research recommendations for the guidelines into 1 major section and also have ranked these recommendations into 3 categories: critical importance, high importance, and moderate importance. Our intended effect of this change in how the research recommendations are presented is to provide a guidepost for funding agencies and investigators to target research efforts in areas that will provide important information to benefit patient outcomes.
This final version of the Clinical Practice Guidelines and Recommendations for Peritoneal Dialysis Adequacy has undergone extensive revision in response to comments during the public review. While considerable effort has gone into their preparation during the past 2 years and every attention has been paid to their detail and scientific rigor, no set of guidelines and clinical practice recommendations, no matter how well developed, achieves its purpose unless it is implemented and translated into clinical practice. Implementation is an integral component of the KDOQI process and accounts for the success of its past guidelines. The Kidney Learning System (KLS) component of the National Kidney Foundation is developing implementation tools that will be essential to the success of these guidelines.
In a voluntary and multidisciplinary undertaking of this magnitude, many individuals make contributions to the final product now in your hands. It is impossible to acknowledge them individually here, but to each and every one of them, we extend our sincerest appreciation. This limitation notwithstanding, a special debt of gratitude is due to the members of the Work Group and their co-chairs, John Burkart from Wake Forest University and Beth Piraino from The University of Pittsburgh. It is their commitment and dedication to the KDOQI process that has made this document possible.
Adeera Levin, MD, FACP
KDOQI Chair
Michael Rocco, MD, MSCE
KDOQI Vice-Chair