Rate of RRF Loss

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Several reports have suggested that RRF is better preserved among patients treated with PD as compared to HD^1-5. Many of these observations are based on either single center uncontrolled studies or on theoretical considerations. Possible explanations for PD superiority in maintaining RRF are:

•	Better control of arterial blood pressure due to more uniform and gradual ultrafiltration. A stable blood pressure should prevent intermittent glomerular ischemia during episodes of hypotension or glomerular capillary hypertension during periods of volume expansion.
•	More steady concentration of solutes in blood with avoidance of significant fluctuations in osmolality. Tubular and capillary injury from transient hyperosmolar states could contribute to loss of RRF.
•	Differences in protein intake between PD and HD patients. A lower protein intake has been associated with better preservation of RRF. Patients undergoing PD often have lower protein intakes, possibly related to a lower Kt/V_urea. A high and sustained intake of dietary protein has been proposed to increase renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rates, which require additional renal work, recruitment of reserve glomeruli and the eventual development of intra-renal hypertension leading to glomerular sclerosis and loss of renal function⁶.
•	Protein losses. Similarly, the continuous loss of protein through the peritoneal effluent may lessen the filtration load each nephron must handle among patients on PD.
•	Higher nephrotoxicity in HD. The intermittent exposure of blood to hemodialyzers, tubing and other components of extracorporeal circuits has been associated with secretion of cytokines (IL-1, tumor necrotizing factor, etc) and other mediators of inflammation known to accelerate loss of RRF. Much progress has been made in the development of more biocompatible HD components to minimize the production of undesirable cytokines, but this possibility is still an important consideration. Conversely, increased cytokine secretion has also been associated with the use of conventional PD solutions. The latter has stimulated research in the development of more physiological solutions and biocompatible materials for use in PD.

While most clinical reports strongly suggest better preservation of RRF in PD and the physiological considerations support this belief, other investigators have not been able to confirm this finding^7,8. Tattersall studied 100 patients undergoing HD and PD and performed an exponential regression of Krt/V against time⁷. During the first year of treatment, RRF contributed the equivalent of Krt/V = 1.0. No significant difference in the rate of renal failure progression was noted among the groups. In a subsequent study, these same authors compared the decline of urea clearance in a cohort of 475 incident ESRD patients who received treatment with CAPD (N=175) or hemodialysis (HD) utilizing high-flux polysulphone membranes, ultrapure water, and bicarbonate as the buffer (N=300)⁸. There was no difference in the mean urea clearance in each group at dialysis initiation, or at any 6-month time point during the ensuing 48 months. This was true even after exclusion of patients who had died in the first year after initiation, those transferred to another dialysis modality, or those who had been transplanted. Only age and chronic interstitial disease predicted retention of urea clearance at one year. It seemed apparent that in hemodialysis using high-flux biocompatible membranes and ultrapure water, RRF declines at a rate indistinguishable from that in CAPD. This may have important implications, since preservation of RRF has major benefits and is a valid therapeutic goal.

The rate of loss of RRF is difficult to predict due to the aforementioned factors influencing renal function preservation and inter-patient peculiarities. However, Gotch, et al. have published the rate of fall in Krt/V from a randomized dialysis prescription and clinical outcomes study⁹. The observed decline was 0.21 Krt/V + 0.34/6 months or 0.035/month.

The specific disease entities and comorbid conditions responsible for ESRD can also influence the rate of deterioration of RRF. Inter-patient variation in the progression of renal failure is well known. Diabetic patients with generalized vasculopathy, those presenting with vasculitis and certain forms of focal sclerosing glomerulonephropathy often show a rapid rate of progression, while certain patients with tubulointerstitial disease progress remarkably slowly. In addition, nephrotoxic insults may be more prone to play a role in some groups of patients. A classic example is radiographic contrast media. Two risk factors in the development of acute renal failure from contrast media are the severity of renal failure and the coexistence of diabetes mellitus¹⁰. Diabetics are at high risk of developing coronary artery disease and other vascular complications. Many transplant programs recommend or require a thorough cardiac work-up, including coronary arteriograms, for diabetics. Therefore, the use of contrast media may play an important role in the loss of RRF in certain series.

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References:

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Diaz-Buxo JA, Wagoner RA, Palumbo PA, Hattery R. Acute renal failure following excretory urography in azotemic diabetics. Ann Intern Med 83:155-158, 1975