Early outcomes of peritoneal dialysis in a middle-income country: A retrospective cohort study of a large dialysis network in Colombia

Background: The first year of dialysis is critical given the significant risk for complications following dialysis initiation. We analysed complications during the first year among incident peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods: This retrospective cohort study comprised adult kidney failure patients starting PD in Baxter Renal Care Services in Colombia, receiving their first PD catheter between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2020 and were followed up for up to 1 year. We analysed incidence, causes and factors associated with complications using logistic regression and transfer to haemodialysis (HD) using the Fine-Gray regression model. Results: Among 4743 patients receiving their first PD catheter: 4628 (97.6%) of catheter implantations were successful; 377 (7.9%) patients experienced early complications. The incidence rate of complications during the year was 0.51 events per patient-year (95% CI: 0.48-0.54). Age, obesity and urgent start were associated with higher probability of complications after catheter implantation. The cumulative incidence of transfer to HD within 1 year of PD initiation was 10.1% [95% CI: 9.2-11.1%]. The hazard function for transfer to HD showed an accelerating pattern during the first month followed by progressive decrease during the first year. Conclusions: In this large population of incident PD patients, there is a high primary catheter placement success rate. Urgent start, age >= 65 years, obesity, centre size >= 150 PD patients and diabetes were risk factors associated with early complications. The follow-up of the cohort from day 1 of PD treatment showed that the risk for transfer to HD was higher during the first month.