Restoration of peritoneal integrity after withdrawal of peritoneal dialysis: characteristic features of the patients at risk of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis

Background The epidemiological characteristics of encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS), such as its high incidence in patients with long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) treatment, and the onset of EPS after patients are switched to hemodialysis (HD) may indicate an activated pathological process after PD withdrawal, especially in long-term PD patients. Accordingly, we aimed to observe changes in peritoneal function after the stoppage of PD, and to clarify the characteristic features of the patients at risk of EPS. Methods Thirty-three patients who were switched from continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) to HD were enrolled in this trial. Changes in the dialysate/plasma creatinine (D/P Cr) and CA125 levels in the effluent of the peritoneal equilibration test were observed for 6 months. Furthermore, each patient was followed-up for 36 months after PD withdrawal to monitor for the development of EPS. Results D/P Cr decreased significantly, while CA125 levels tended to increase. Nine patients developed EPS during the follow-up period and they specifically showed significant increases of D/P Cr levels and significantly lower levels of CA125 at PD withdrawal. The accumulation of high transporters in the EPS group at 0 and 6 months after PD withdrawal was significant. Conclusions Peritoneal recovery may take place after withdrawal from PD treatment and such recover indicated by improvement of transport states and a rise of the CA125 level. The present study revealed that a high-transport state and lack of increase of CA125 in the effluent were associated with EPS development after PD withdrawal. This may suggest that the lack of peritoneal recovery after PD withdrawal is predictive for EPS development.