A Strict Low Protein Diet during the Predialysis Period Suppresses Peritoneal Permeability at Induction of Peritoneal Dialysis

Background The factors that predict baseline peritoneal permeability remain largely unknown. We noticed that patients that adhered to a strict low protein diet (LPD) during the predialysis period seldom showed high peritoneal permeability on the peritoneal equilibration test (PET) at the introduction of peritoneal dialysis (PD). Therefore, we investigated whether a strict LPD during the predialysis period affects peritoneal permeability.Method We retrospectively analyzed 37 patients that started PD in a single Japanese center. Patients were divided into group A and group B by the median amount of daily protein intake (PI) during the predialysis period using urine collected over 24 hours.Results There were no differences between groups A and B in age, gender, proportion of diabetic nephropathy, blood pressure, body mass index, or body surface area. There were also no differences between the groups in laboratory findings, including hematocrit, serum albumin, and serum creatinine. The PETs showed a significantly lower dialysate-to-plasma ratio of creatinine at 4 hours (Cr D/P) for group A than for group B ( p = 0.02). Furthermore, a significant positive correlation between Cr D/P and PI was observed ( r = 0.53, p < 0.01).Conclusion It is suggested that a strict LPD during the predialysis period may suppress peritoneal permeability at induction of PD.