OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the reasons for treatment modality selection between hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) in 150 consecutive patients in a single center. DESIGN: This study is a retrospective study using chart review as the data collection method. SETTING: A single tertiary care university teaching hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred and fifty consecutive patients starting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) therapy at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal were assessed. Their treatment modality at 6 weeks after starting dialysis was recorded as their treatment modality. Patients transplanted or who died prior to that 6-week period were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The treatment modality, that is, either HD or PD, at 6 weeks after the initiation of ESRD was the modality assigned to the patient. RESULTS: One hundred and fifty patients started ESRD therapy of whom 83 went to HD and 67 to PD. Thirty-one patients were directed to HD, including 20 for social reasons, 3 with ostomies, and 6 with unsuitable abdomens. Fourteen patients were directed to PD, including 10 with severe cardiovascular disease, 3 with no vascular access, and one for geographical reasons. Of 31 diabetics who were encouraged to do PD, 17 went to PD and 14 to HD (10 for social reasons, 3 refused PD, and one with an inappropriate abdomen). Seventy-four patients were initially eligible for either PD or HD. Fifty percent (37) went to PD and 50% to HD. Of those going to HD, 15 went to self-care HD, of whom 7 had prior exposure to HD. Eleven were not informed regarding PD. There was no gender preference for PD versus HD. CONCLUSION: We conclude that among informed patients, if given a choice of treatment modality, the majority will choose self-care dialysis including continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) or self-care HD.

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