Long-term survival benefits of combined hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.

Recently, it was reported that concomitant hemodialysis (HD) in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients facilitated continuation of PD treatment and mitigated the deterioration of peritoneal function in patients with uremic symptoms and excess body fluid associated with loss of residual renal function. To determine the effect of combined HD and PD on patient and technique survival, we undertook a retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent PD at Saitama Medical University Hospital between 1995 and 2010. We compared patients who started PD during 1995 2002 with those who started during 2003- 2010. Because our center started a new strategy of supplementing PD with once-weekly HD in 2000, the effects of combination therapy could be determined by comparing the data obtained during the two periods. The 440 patients (274 men, 166 women) who started PD during the study period had a mean age of 60.2 +/- 73 years. The mean age was significantly higher in the 2003 - 2010 group than in the 1995 - 2002 group. Using a Kaplan-Meier plot, we observed a significant difference in technique survival (p < 0.001). The technique survival rate at 3 and 5 years was, respectively, 89% and 74% in the 2003-2010 group and 68% and 35% in the 1995 - 2002 group (p < 0.05). Cumulative patient survival at 3 and 5 years was, respectively, 87% and 72% in the 2003 - 2010 group and 69% and 51% in the 1995 - 2003 group (p < 0.01). Patient and technique survival were significantly improved in PD patients receiving the combination of HD and PD.