Contrary to previous reports, our patients maintained on CAPD for periods up to 25 months showed no improvement in their hematocrit. However, in comparison with a group of hemodialysis patients, our CAPD patients required transfusions, anabolic steroids and iron supplements less frequently. A small but not statistically significant increase in hematocrit was noted among patients transferred from hemodialysis to CAPD.
Oxygen affinity, measured by P50, did not reveal the previously described elevation among hemodialysis patients. The reason(s) for this difference are only speculative at this time.
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