Prevention of Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis

BACKGROUND: Peritonitis remains a significant problem in peritoneal dialysis. It is the leading cause of technique failure, and contributes to mortality. The incidence is highest during the first year of treatment. Non-compliance with the Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) protocol is shown to be an important risk factor for peritonitis. Reinforcement of knowledge and ability to perform PD therefore appears to be a possible way to reduce the incidence of peritonitis. This will be studied in The PEritonitis Prevention Study (PEPS).

METHODS: The objective of this randomized, multi-centre investigation,which will include 750 new PD patients who can perform (PD) without assistance, is to evaluate if regular retraining can reduce the incidence of peritonitis, the technique-failure rate, and the hospitalisation days due to peritonitis compared with regular follow-up regimen. Patients in the intervention group will tested by a PD-technique test and a questionnaire at regular intervals after PD-start and after every peritonitis episode with focus on infection prophylaxis. If needed, they will be retrained. The control group will be treated according to the routine of the center.

The study is ongoing in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, the Netherlands, and the UK. The study will go on for 6 years.

BACKGROUND See above. AIMS To study if regular follow-up of PD patients with testing of their theoretical and practical knowledge (hereafter called "new type of follow-up") can reduce the incidence of peritonitis, reduce the technique failure rate related to peritonitis, and reduce the time of hospitalization related to peritonitis compared to a routine regimen. For specific aims, see "Outcome measures" below.

PATIENTS AND METHODS The study is a randomized, multi-centre investigation intending to enclose 750 new PD patients in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Inclsuion was finished on December 31, 2014. The study will go on until the last included patient has taken part of the study for one year. The study will thus be terminated on December 31, 2015.

The study includes a follow-up group and a control group. The intervention in the follow-up group consists of regular testing of theoretical and practical knowledge regarding PD with focus on infection prophylaxis including retraining if needed until the test goals are reached. The control group will be treated according to the routines of the center. Peritonitis is defined according to ISPD guidelines (Perit Dial Int 2005;25:107-131)

The baseline PD training will be the same at all participating centres and follow international recommendations. In addition, fluorescent alcohol and a UV lamp will be used to control the result of hand disinfection in all patients once during the initial PD training. Thereafter this method will only be used in the follow-up group.

In the follow-up group, the knowledge from the basal training will be tested at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after PD start, every sixth month thereafter, and after every episode of peritonitis. Such testing will also be performed at restart of PD. The follow-up includes two types of tests:

1. The patient will fill in a questionnaire with theoretical and practical questions with focus on infection and infection prophylaxis during PD treatment. Goal: At least 80% of the questions should be correct. If the goal is not reached, further training will be given until the goal is reached.
2. The patient will perform a practical test including hand disinfection, PD exchange technique, and exit-site care. Hand disinfection skills will be controlled with the help of fluorescent alcohol and a UV lamp. Goal: All steps of the practical test should be correctly performed. If not, further training will be given until the goal is reached.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patient is able to perform PD without assistance
* Age 18 years old or more

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous PD-treatment less than 2 years ago
* Peritonitis before inclusion
* Active malignancy
* Participation in other studies during the study period which may affect outcome of the present study