Weekend compared with weekday presentations of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis.
OBJECTIVE
Management of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis requires timely intervention by experienced staff, which may not be uniformly available throughout the week. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of weekend compared with weekday presentation on peritonitis outcomes.


METHODS
The study, which used data from the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, included all Australian patients receiving PD between 1 October 2003 and 31 December 2008. The independent predictors of weekend presentation and subsequent peritonitis outcomes were assessed by multivariate logistic regression.


RESULTS
Peritonitis presentation rates were significantly lower on Saturdays [0.46 episodes per year; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.42 to 0.49 episodes per year] and on Sundays (0.43 episodes per year; 95% CI: 0.40 to 0.47 episodes per year) than all other weekdays; they peaked on Mondays (0.76 episodes per year; 95% CI: 0.72 to 0.81 episodes per year). Weekend presentation with a first episode of peritonitis was independently associated with lower body mass index and residence less than 100 km away from the nearest PD unit. Patients presenting with peritonitis on the weekend were significantly more likely to be hospitalized [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 2.32; 95% CI: 1.85 to 2.90], although microbial profiles and empiric antimicrobial treatments were comparable between the weekend and weekday groups. Antimicrobial cure rates were also comparable (79% vs 79%, p = 0.9), with the exception of cure rates for culture-negative peritonitis, which were lower on the weekend (80% vs 88%, p = 0.047). Antifungal prophylaxis was less likely to be co-prescribed for first peritonitis episodes presenting on weekdays (OR: 0.68; 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.89).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients on PD are less likely to present with peritonitis on the weekend. Nevertheless, the microbiology, treatment, and outcomes of weekend and weekday PD peritonitis presentations are remarkably similar. Exceptions include the associations of weekend presentation with a higher hospitalization rate and a lower cure rate in culture-negative infection.
Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry, Adelaide, Australia. david_johnson@health.qld.gov.au
David W
DW
Johnson
Philip
P
Clayton
Yeoungjee
Y
Cho
Sunil V
SV
Badve
Carmel M
CM
Hawley
Stephen
S
McDonald
Neil
N
Boudville
Kathryn J
KJ
Wiggins
Kym
K
Bannister
Fiona
F
Brown
D039602:After-Hours Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010530:Peritoneal Dialysis / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012042:Registries; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents