Influence of Peritonitis on Gastrointestinal Function of Patients with Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

Objective: To explore the influence of peritonitis on CAPD patients of gastrointestinal symptoms and gastric myoelectrical activity, and to explore the correlation between gastrointestinal symptoms and gastric myoelectrical activity. Methods: 72 patients were selected, including 24 patients with suffering peritonitis (group A), 24 patients with having suffered and cured peritonitis 3 months ago (group B), and 24 normal CAPD patients (group C) as the control group. All cases were evaluated subjectively with Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS). The gastric myoelectric activity was assessed by cutaneously recorded electrogastrographs (EGGs) in the resting state. Results: (1) The incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms in group A, group B and group C was respectively 91.67%, 70.83% and 54.17%. (2) GSRS scale scores of patients in group A in abdominal pain, dyspepsia and gastroesophageal reflux were significantly higher than that of group B and C (P < 0.01). GSRS scale scores of group B in dyspepsia, constipation, abdominal pain and eating dysfunction were higher than group C, although were no significant difference (P > 0.05). (3) The gastric electrical frequency (2.5e3.75 cpm) percentage before a meal and after standard meal in group A was significantly lower than that of group B and group C (P < 0.05), and in group C was higher than that in group B (P < 0.05). (4) The variance of EGG dominant frequency and power after a standard meal in group A and group B were less decreased, compared with the changes of group C (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The peritonitis can significantly increase the incidence of gastrointestinal dysfunction in CAPD patients, and the effects can exist for a long time. The abnormal gastric myoelectrical activity in patients with PDAP and the disorders of gastrointestinal function can be correlative between, and the electrogastrogram can be an important means of gastrointestinal function evaluation in CAPD patients.