Non-medical factors influencing peritoneal dialysis utilization: the Swiss experience.

The use of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in the treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) fluctuates considerably from country to country [1]. The proportion varies from 0 to above 60% of the total dialysis population and is most often explained by socioeconomic, health care or reimbursement factors [1–4]. This disparity, however, also exists at the regional or at the centre level and may also change over time within the same unit, meaning that other factors must play a role. Based on the Swiss experience over the last few years, the present review analyses those factors and proposes some strategies towards a more homogeneous use of dialysis modalities.