Patient-related and centre-related factors influencing technique survival of peritoneal dialysis in The Netherlands

Background. Although technique failure occurs relatively frequently in peritoneal dialysis (PD), few data have been published on differences in technique failure between centres.Methods. Using data from RENINE, the comprehensive dialysis registry of The Netherlands, we analysed PD technique failure rates in the period 1994-1999, with life table methods and Cox multiple regression analysis. Patient age, sex, and the presence or absence of diabetes were included in the analysis, as well as time of initiation of PD and the following centre characteristics: number of PD patients treated in the centre and percentage of patients on PD.Results. Technique failure was higher in older patients: 2-year technique survival was 75% in those younger than 45 years, 68% in the group aged 45-64 years, and 60%. in those over 64 years (PConclusion. PD technique survival in The Netherlands has increased in recent years. Having less than 20 PD patients in a centre or having a small fraction of patients on PD carries an increased risk of technique failure. The variability in PD technique survival between centres indicates that in many centres further improvements should be possible.