HYPOALBUMINEMIA IN PERITONEAL DIALYSIS (PD) PATIENTS

This study aimed to determine the factors that were associated with hypoalbuminemia in PD patients. Patients who had received PD at our hospital for more than three months were divided into two groups. Patients who had mean serum albumin levels ≥3.5g/dL were allocated to Group 1, while those who had mean serum albumin levels =3.5g/dL were allocated to Group 2. Demographic characteristics, clinical parameters and laboratory data were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression was performed to identify the factors that were associated with hypoalbuminemia. There were 359 patients (mean age 54.3 years, male 46.5%) included. Group 2 patients (10.3%) had lower body mass index (P<0.001), lower total Kt/V (P<0.01), lower levels of hemoglobin, creatinine, triglyceride, potassium and phosphorus (P<0.05), but higher levels of C-reactive protein (P<=0.05). More Group 2 patients had high or high-average peritoneal equilibration test (P<=0.05). Factors that were associated with hypoalbuminemia were total Kt/V (P<0.01), hemoglobin (P<0.01), creatinine (P<0.0001), triglyceride (P<0.01) and potassium (P<0.05). In conclusion, hypoalbuminemia in our PD patients was associated with total Kt/V and various laboratory data