An observational study on the effect of seasonal variation on peritoneal dialysis patients

Background: Seasonal variation has an impact on plants, wild animals, and also human beings. Data have shown seasonal variation has a significant impact on patients’ fluid status, biochemistry results, and outcomes in hemodialysis populations. The relevant data on peritoneal dialysis is scant. Methods: This was a cross sectional study. All patients followed up in our center had a peritoneal equilibration test and PD adequacy test every 6 months. All the peritoneal equilibration test and PD adequacy test data were collected during December 2019 to November 2020. The monthly delivery information of the whole center was collected from 2015 to 2019. Results: There were 366 patients and 604 sets of peritoneal equilibration test and PD adequacy test results in the study. Plasma albumin and phosphate levels were higher in summer. The monthly average outdoor temperature was positively correlated with plasma albumin. There was no seasonal difference in peritoneal dialysis ultrafiltration or urine volume. The percentage of low glucose concentration (1.5%) usage was higher in summer and lower in winter. Conclusion: Plasma albumin and phosphate levels were higher in summer in PD patients. Weaker glucose peritoneal dialysis dialysate was more widely used in summer. Understanding the seasonal variation of peritoneal dialysis is helpful in individualized treatment.