Is Metabolic Acidosis a Considerable Problem in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients when Amino Acid-Based Peritoneal Dialysis Solution is Used?

Background and Aims: A tendency to metabolic acidosis exists with the use of amino acid-based peritoneal dialysis solution, especially when two exchanges are performed with the solutions. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether metabolic acidosis is a considerable problem in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) when amino acid-based peritoneal dialysis solution is used. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 119 PD (62 female, 57 male) patients. The first group consisted of 47 patients who had used amino acid-based PD solution once a day. The second group included 72 patients who had not used the solution. Results: Mean age was 47 ± 13 years. Blood bicarbonate concentration and serum albumin levels were significantly lower in first group than that of the second group (25.12 ± 3.38 mmol/L vs. 26.91 ± 4.32 mmol/L, P: 0.018 and 2.82 ± 0.46 g/dL vs. 3.15 ± 0.50 g/dL, P: 0.001, respectively). On the other hand, blood urea nitrogen concentration and use of essential amino acid preparation were meaningfully higher in the first group than those of the second group (66.17 ± 13.70 mg/dL vs. 52.79 ± 16.55 mg/dL, P: 0.001 and 33 (47.8%) patients vs. 14 (28%) patients, P: 0.022, respectively). However, there was no meaningful difference between these groups for serum pH value and presence of metabolic acidosis. Conclusions: Although mean blood bicarbonate concentration was significantly lower in amino acid-based PD solution group than that of the control group, it was in normal range in both the groups and there was no significant difference between pH value and presence of metabolic acidosis among them. Therefore, metabolic acidosis is not a considerable problem in PD patients when amino acid-based peritoneal dialysis solution is used.