High rate of limb amputation in subjects on renal dialysis: is there a difference between haemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis?

Background/Aims: High rate of end stage renal failure (ESRF) requiring renal dialysis have been reported in North Queensland. Recent reports have identified dialysis as a risk factor for lower limb amputations but no study that has been done which compares the two modalities of dialysis therapy, namely, haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of this study is to document differences between HD & PD as a risk factor of non-traumatic limb amputation in North Queensland. Methods: All patients currently attending the Townsville dialysis centre were included in this study. Odds ratio and χ2 tests were performed to identify variables most strongly associated with amputation. Results: We had a total of 219 patients (160 HD, 59 PD) attending the service. We identified higher prevalence of amputation amongst subjects on HD as compared to PD, 15% vs 10.2% (χ2 analysis showed significant association). All subjects in both groups had lower limb amputations except one in the HD group who had an upper limb amputation. Conclusion: We have shown PD might prove to be a safer option compared to HD for subjects with ESRF at risk of limb amputation. Further prospective studies on a larger population are needed to confirm our findings.

Annals of the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine Inc

Annals of the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine

15

1448-4706

N/A

3

1