Randomized controlled study of icodextrin on the treatment of peritoneal dialysis patients during acute peritonitis

Background: The clinical benefits of using icodextrin during acute peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis are uncertain. On the premise that high glucose concentration might jeopardize the peritoneal defense during peritonitis, icodextrin administration during acute peritonitis could have the potential to improve the peritonitis outcome whilst improving ultrafiltration.

Methods: We conducted a single-center, open-label, randomized controlled trial in which 53 adult continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients underwent randomization to receive either icodextrin or original glucose-based dialysis solution. The primary outcome measure was the peritoneal dialyzate white cell count on Day 3. Secondary outcome measures comprised the need of additional hypertonic exchanges, fluid control as denoted by changes in body weight, and the clinical outcome of peritonitis including 30-day and 120-day all-cause mortality.

Results: Between icodextrin and control treatment groups, there were no statistically significant differences in the peritoneal dialyzate white cell count on day (1829 versus 987/mm(3), P = 0.13). There was neither improvement in primary cure rate (31.8 versus 32.3%, P = 1.00), nor was there any change in 120-day mortality after icodextrin use (13.6 versus 12.9%, P = 1.00). However, requirement of hypertonic dialysis exchange was much more frequent in the control group than in those randomized to icodextrin (35.5 versus 0%, P = 0.001). Body weight did not change significantly in the icodextrin group, but body weight in the control group increased from 63.3 ± 14.5 kg at baseline to 64.2 ± 14.2 kg at Day 5 (P = 0.0002) and 65.2 ± 14.1 kg at Day 10 (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: As compared with glucose-based peritoneal dialysis solution, use of icodextrin achieved better ultrafiltration and fluid control during acute peritonitis complicating continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis, although we found no evidence of a worthwhile clinical benefit on peritonitis resolution. (ClinicalTrial.gov number, NCT0104446 [ClinicalTrial.gov].).