‘Failure to thrive’ on PD

A few months ago I took care of a patient who, having been on peritoneal dialysis for a number of years, was losing weight, had poor small solute clearances and worsening edema. We transitioned her over to HD for presumed membrane failure, but her nutritional status really did not improve. She continued to complain of nausea, vomiting and abdominal bloating - an abdominal CT gave us the answer. It showed loculated fluid collections, markedly thickened peritoneal membrane and tethering of the bowel in the centre of the abdomen (as in left image). The entire presentation was consistent with encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) – a dreaded complication of long term PD.

EPS is quite rare, but has a high associated mortality (25-50%). It is relevant even for those of us who take care of few/no PD patients, as over half of all cases present after changing from PD to HD and it can even present post renal transplantation.
So what is EPS? Basically, it is an inflammatory condition, characterized by severe peritoneal fibrosis and thickening, leading to adhesions, small bowel obstruction and ascites formation. It occurs in between 0.5- 2.8% of PD patients and is seen primarily in patients who have been on PD for over 5 years, with risk increasing as time on dialysis increases (Up to 17% in those on PD over 15 years). However, there have been reported cases in patients on PD for less than 6 months. Frequently, patients have had recurrent episodes of peritonitis although again, this is not universal. Infection is thought to ‘prime’ the membrane for fibrotic change and may be a precipitating event.

The clinical presentation can be quite vague, so a high degree of suspicion is needed to make the diagnosis. Patients may present as ‘failing’ PD but EPS should be considered in any patient with persistent GI symptoms and declining nutritional status either while on PD or after transfer to HD. Commonest complaints include decreased appetite, early satiety, nausea and vomiting. Recurrent episodes of small bowel obstruction are seen in severe cases. In the right clinical setting, bloody dialysate (PD) or recurrent +/- bloody ascites (HD) may also point to EPS. Abdominal CT scanning can be helpful (as above). However, direct visualisation with laparoscopy and peritoneal biopsy are sometimes needed to confirm the diagnosis. Interesting reviews on the condition are here and here.


Martina McGrath MD