Treatment of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.
BACKGROUND
Peritonitis frequently complicates peritoneal dialysis. Appropriate treatment is essential to reduce adverse outcomes. Available trial evidence about peritoneal dialysis peritonitis treatment was evaluated.


METHODS
The Cochrane CENTRAL Registry (2005 issue), MEDLINE (1966 to February 2006), EMBASE (1985 to February 2006), and reference lists were searched to identify randomized trials of treatments for patients with peritoneal dialysis peritonitis.


METHODS
Trials of antibiotics (comparisons of routes, agents, and dosing regimens), fibrinolytic agents, peritoneal lavage, and intraperitoneal immunoglobulin.


RESULTS
Treatment failure, relapse, catheter removal, microbiological eradication, hospitalization, all-cause mortality, and adverse reactions.


RESULTS
36 eligible trials were identified: 30 trials (1,800 patients) of antibiotics; 4 trials (229 patients) of urokinase; 1 trial of peritoneal lavage (36 patients); and 1 trial of intraperitoneal immunoglobulin (24 patients). No superior antimicrobial class was identified. In particular, glycopeptides and first-generation cephalosporins were equivalent (3 trials, 387 patients; relative risk [RR], 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95 to 3.58). Simultaneous catheter removal/replacement was superior to urokinase at decreasing treatment failures (1 trial, 37 patients; RR, 2.35; 95% CI, 1.13 to 4.91). Continuous and intermittent intraperitoneal antibiotic dosing were equivalent regarding treatment failure (4 trials, 338 patients; RR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.37 to 1.30) and relapse (4 trials, 324 patients; RR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.63 to 1.39). One trial showed superiority of intraperitoneal antibiotics over intravenous therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The method quality of trials generally was suboptimal and outcome definitions were inconsistent. Small patient numbers led to inadequate power to show an effect. Interventions, such as optimal duration of antibiotic therapy, were not evaluated.


CONCLUSIONS
Trials did not identify superior antibiotic regimens. Intermittent and continuous antibiotic dosing are equivalent treatment strategies.
Wiggins
Kathryn J
KJ
Department of Nephrology, University of Queensland at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, Australia. kate.wiggins@svhm.org.au
Johnson
David W
DW
Craig
Jonathan C
JC
Strippoli
Giovanni F M
GF
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010533:Peritoneal Lavage; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents