Papers by Christian Verger
Kidney International, Nov 1, 2006
RDPLF Registry) is a non-profit association that has been set up to assist physicians and nurses ... more RDPLF Registry) is a non-profit association that has been set up to assist physicians and nurses in evaluating their practical experience and results regarding peritoneal dialysis (PD). Five French-speaking and two Spanish-speaking countries have participated in this initiative (which includes 21 000 patients). In France, 82% of all PD patients are included in the registry and the main results for the period from 1995 to January 2006 form the basis of this report: of 11 744 incident patients with a median age of 71 years, 21.5% were over 80 years of age and 56% were not able to perform PD treatment at home without assistance. Eighty-six percent of the latter group received external assistance from a private nurse and 14% were aided by their family. The overall average rate of peritonitis was one episode every 29 months. The probability of being peritonitis-free appeared to be better for patients on automated PD (59.4% at 2 year) than for those on continuous ambulatory PD (55.3%), but this finding requires further validation. The average waiting time before transplantation was about 2 years. In patients who had undergone transplantation, the peritonitis rate was one episode per 42 months before transplantation compared to one episode per 29 months for patients who had not received a transplant. Eighty-three percent of patients had a hemoglobin level greater than 11 g%. Catheter survival was 92% at 2 years post-insertion and 85% at 5 years, with 94% being implanted by experienced surgeons. In conclusion, the RDPLF results demonstrate that PD may be successfully prescribed for older patients who receive assistance either from their family or from a nurse. Further, a larger number of younger patients should also be prescribed this technique in France. Patients eligible for transplantation and on short-term PD have the lowest risk of developing peritonitis; PD before transplantation may help prolong residual renal function, and initial treatment by PD may also help to preserve vascular access for the future.
Nephrologie & Therapeutique, Sep 1, 2016
![Research paper thumbnail of [Encapsulating peritonitis during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. A physiopathologic hypothesis]](https://a.academia-assets.com/images/blank-paper.jpg)
PubMed, Sep 6, 1986
A case of sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis was observed in a patient who had been treated by ... more A case of sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis was observed in a patient who had been treated by continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for 4 years. During that period the patient had always used a lactate buffered dialysate (Dianeal solution, supplied by Travenol) and no disinfectant. Nine episodes of peritonitis occurred during the first two years of dialysis. At the end of the first year the patient had decreased ultrafiltration associated with high glucose absorption. A peritoneal biopsy performed at that time showed mesothelial alterations and desquamation. Sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis was suspected at the end of the fourth year, on the basis of changes in the glucose equilibration curve which showed that poor ultrafiltration was now associated with very slow glucose absorption. The diagnosis was confirmed at laparotomy. The authors suggest that the first stage of encapsulating peritonitis might be prolonged and severe alteration of the mesothelial layer. Dialysis should be discontinued immediately in the presence of a loss of filtration with hypermeability (type I) in order to permit normal recovery. If this is not done, loss of filtration with severe hypopermeability (type II) may develop due to multiple adhesions or to the encapsulating process.
PubMed, Apr 21, 1991
Monitoring peritoneal permeability is indispensable to adjust the dialysis procedure to the chara... more Monitoring peritoneal permeability is indispensable to adjust the dialysis procedure to the characteristics of each individual patient and to detect and prevent the complications of peritoneal dialysis. Several monitoring techniques can be used, the simplest one being the most inaccurate. The authors consider that in routine practice the first alterations can be detected merely by measuring ultrafiltration. The next step is a single glucose assay after a 4-hour long contact. Evaluating the speed of diffusion of glucose and urea by means of four assays in two hours is an excellent compromise: the equilibration curves thus obtained can be summarized as the time required for the percentage of glucose absorption to be identical with the percentage of dialysate saturation in urea (APEX time).
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, Dec 25, 2017
Background. No information is available regarding nurseassisted peritoneal dialysis (PD) in non-e... more Background. No information is available regarding nurseassisted peritoneal dialysis (PD) in non-elderly subjects. This study was carried out to estimate the rate of nurse-assisted PD among non-elderly patients and to assess which individual and centre factors were associated with nurse-assisted PD. The other objective was to estimate the magnitude of the centre effect on the utilization of nurse-assisted PD using hierarchical modelling. Methods. This was a retrospective study based on data from the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry. Patients incident on PD > 18 and < 65 years of age were included. Results. There were 2269 incidents of PD initiation between January 2008 and December 2012 in 127 PD centres with 114 (5%) on family-assisted PD and 272 (12%) on nurse-assisted PD. At the individual level, compared with autonomous patients, nurse assistance was associated with age {odds ratio [OR] 1.79 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51-2.13]}, gender [OR 0.47 (95% CI 0.35-0.64)], comorbidities and underlying nephropathy. There was significant heterogeneity between centres in the nurse assistance utilization (variance of random effect 0.12). At the centre level, the type of centre, centre experience, centre organization and private nurse density were not associated with nurse-assisted PD. Conclusions. The rate of nurse-assisted PD among non-elderly patients was 12%. There was a significant centre effect in the utilization of nurse assistance that was not explained by the centres' characteristics. Nurse-assisted PD utilization in nonelderly patients is associated with patient characteristics and also with centre practices.
Peritoneal Dialysis International, 1990
The fate of the peritoneal membrane on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is usuall... more The fate of the peritoneal membrane on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is usually evaluated through the modification of its permeability to various solutes as glucose, creatinine, and urea. Therefore, the accuracy of the methods used for measurements of creatinine is of great importance. A particular problem does exist for creatinine determination as it may be influenced by the presence of glucose. We studied a new enzymatic colorimetric method for creatinine determination in peritoneal dialysis solutions which contain high dextrose concentrations. Creatinine was measured in plasma, urine, and dialysate from 18 patients on CAPD and in pure dextrose solutions, with an enzymatic test (Boehringer Mannheim) and with Jaffe's reaction on two different analyzers: Astra (Beckman) and Eris (Merck). Creatinine results were similar with both assays (Jaffe's reaction and enzymatic test) when measured in blood and urine. However the Jaffe's reaction gave higher creatinine results than the enzymatic test (p < 0.001 ), when assays were performed in peritoneal dialysis solutions and in pure glucose solutions. In addition, it appeared that other components of dialysis solutions, mainly calcium chloride, influenced unpredictably the results of creatinine with the Jaffe's reaction. We conclude that specific enzymatic test is a more accurate and reliable method to evaluate creatinine kinetics through the peritoneal membrane when determined in CAPD solutions.
Bulletin de la dialyse à domicile, Jun 15, 2019
La communication médicale passe par la présentation orale ou écrite de travaux. Pour assurer le p... more La communication médicale passe par la présentation orale ou écrite de travaux. Pour assurer le progrès continu de la médecine, Il est capital que les professionnels de santé, quel que soit leur mode d'exercice ou profession, partagent leurs connaissances et expérience. En dehors des réseaux sociaux les principaux supports formels sont la présentation orale lors d'un congrès ou la rédaction d'un article dans une revue. Les deux modes de communication sont soumis à l'accord d'un comité de lecture qui décide de l'opportunité d'accepter le travail. Afin d'aider nos jeunes lecteurs et lectrices, nous rappelons dans ce numéro les règles de soumission d'un résumé pour un congrès. Dans un prochain numéro, un article sera dédié à la soumission d'un article dans une revue.
BMC Nephrology, May 29, 2020
Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a home-based therapy performed by patients or their relat... more Background: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a home-based therapy performed by patients or their relatives in numerous cases, and the role of patients' educational practices in the risk of peritonitis is not well assessed. Our aim was to evaluate the effect of PD learning methods on the risk of peritonitis. Methods: This was a retrospective multicentric study based on data from a French registry. All incident adults assisted by family or autonomous for PD exchanges in France between 2012 and 2015 were included. The event of interest was the occurrence of peritonitis. Cox and hurdle regression models were used for statistical analysis to asses for the survival free of peritonitis, and the risk of first and subsequent peritonitis. Results: 1035 patients were included. 967 (93%) received education from a specialized nurse. Written support was used for the PD learning in 907 (87%) patients, audio support in 221 (21%) patients, and an evaluation grid was used to assess the comprehension in 625 (60%) patients. In the "zero" part of the hurdle model, the use of a written support and starting PD learning with hands-on training alone were associated with a lower survival free of peritonitis (respectively HR 1.59, 95%CI 1.01-2.5 and HR 1.94, 95%CI 1.08-3.49), whereas in the "count" part, the use of an audio support and starting of PD learning with hands-on training in combination with theory were associated with a lower risk of presenting further episodes of peritonitis after a first episode (respectively HR 0.55, 95%CI 0.31-0.98 and HR 0.57, 95%CI 0.33-0.96). Conclusions: The various PD education modalities were associated with differences in the risk of peritonitis. Prospective randomized trials are necessary to confirm causal effect. Caregivers should assess the patient's preferred learning style and their literacy level and adjust the PD learning method to each individual.
American Journal of Nephrology, 2018
Background: Patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) can be assisted by a nurse or a family member an... more Background: Patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD) can be assisted by a nurse or a family member and treated either by automated PD (APD) or continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of PD modality and type of assistance on the risk of transfer to haemodialysis (HD) and on the peritonitis risk in assisted PD patients. Method: This was a retrospective study based on data from the French Language PD Registry. All adults starting assisted PD in France between 2006 and 2015 were included. Events of interest were transfer to HD, peritonitis and death. Cox regression models were used for statistical analysis. Results: Among the 12,144 incident patients who started PD in France during the study period, 6,167 were assisted. There were 5,060 nurse-assisted and 1,095 family-assisted PD patients. Overall, 5,171 were treated by CAPD and 996 by APD. In multivariate analysis, CAPD, compared to APD, was not associated with the risk of transfer to HD (cause specific hazard ratios [cs-HR] 0.96 [95% CI 0.84–1.09]). Patients on nurse-assisted PD had a lower risk of transfer to HD than family assisted PD patients (cs-HR 0.85 [95% CI 0.75–0.97]). Neither PD modality nor type of assistance were associated with peritonitis risk. Conclusions: In assisted PD, technique survival was not associated with PD modality. Nurse-assisted patients had a lower risk of transfer to HD than family assisted patients. Peritonitis risk was not influenced either by PD modality, or by type of assistance. Both APD and CAPD should be offered to assisted-PD patients.
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, May 2, 2017
Background. This study investigated the centre effect on the risk of peritonitis in peritoneal di... more Background. This study investigated the centre effect on the risk of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Methods. This was a retrospective cohort study based on data from the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry. We analysed 5017 incident patients starting PD between January 2008 and December 2012 in 127 PD centres. The end of the observation period was 1 January 2014. The event of interest was the first peritonitis episode. The analysis was performed with a multilevel Cox model and a Fine and Gray model. Results. Among the 5017 patients, 3190 peritonitis episodes occurred in 1796 patients. There was significant heterogeneity between centres (variance of the random effect: 0.11). The variance of the centre effect was reduced by 9% after adjusting for patient characteristics and by 35% after adjusting on centre covariate. In the multivariate analysis with a multilevel Cox model, centre with a nurse specialized in PD or centre providing home visits before dialysis initiation decreased the centre effect on peritonitis. Patients treated in centres with a nurse specialized in PD or in centres providing home visits before dialysis initiation had a lower risk of peritonitis [cause-specific hazard ratio (cs-HR): 0.75 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.67-0.83) and cs-HR: 0.87 (95% CI 0.76-0.97), respectively]. The data show that neither centre type nor centre volume influenced peritonitis risk. In the competing risk analysis, centre with a nurse specialized in PD and centre with home visits had a protective effect on peritonitis [sub-distribution HR (sd-HR): 0.77 (95% CI 0.70-0.85) and sd-HR: 0.85 (95% CI 0.77-0.94), respectively]. There is a significant centre effect on the risk of peritonitis that can be decreased by home visits before dialysis initiation and by the presence of a nurse specialized in PD.
BMC Medical Research Methodology, Oct 11, 2012
Background: Directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) are an effective means of presenting expert-knowledge ... more Background: Directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) are an effective means of presenting expert-knowledge assumptions when selecting adjustment variables in epidemiology, whereas the change-in-estimate procedure is a common statistics-based approach. As DAGs imply specific empirical relationships which can be explored by the change-in-estimate procedure, it should be possible to combine the two approaches. This paper proposes such an approach which aims to produce well-adjusted estimates for a given research question, based on plausible DAGs consistent with the data at hand, combining prior knowledge and standard regression methods. Methods: Based on the relationships laid out in a DAG, researchers can predict how a collapsible estimator (e.g. risk ratio or risk difference) for an effect of interest should change when adjusted on different variable sets. Implied and observed patterns can then be compared to detect inconsistencies and so guide adjustment-variable selection. The proposed approach involves i. drawing up a set of plausible background-knowledge DAGs; ii. starting with one of these DAGs as a working DAG, identifying a minimal variable set, S, sufficient to control for bias on the effect of interest; iii. estimating a collapsible estimator adjusted on S, then adjusted on S plus each variable not in S in turn ("add-one pattern") and then adjusted on the variables in S minus each of these variables in turn ("minus-one pattern"); iv. checking the observed add-one and minus-one patterns against the pattern implied by the working DAG and the other prior DAGs; v. reviewing the DAGs, if needed; and vi. presenting the initial and all final DAGs with estimates. Conclusion: This approach to adjustment-variable selection combines background-knowledge and statistics-based approaches using methods already common in epidemiology and communicates assumptions and uncertainties in a standardized graphical format. It is probably best suited to areas where there is considerable background knowledge about plausible variable relationships. Researchers may use this approach as an additional tool for selecting adjustment variables when analyzing epidemiological data.
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, Feb 29, 2016
Background. Diabetic patients treated by peritoneal dialysis (PD) have been reported to be at an ... more Background. Diabetic patients treated by peritoneal dialysis (PD) have been reported to be at an increased risk of peritonitis. This has been attributed to impairment in host defense, visual impairment, disability and muscle wasting, which could compromise ability to safely perform catheter connections. This study aimed to evaluate whether assisted PD is associated with a lower risk of peritonitis in diabetic patients. Methods. This was a retrospective study based on data from the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry. We included diabetic patients starting PD between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2012. The end of the observation period was 31 December 2013. Using complementary regression analysis (Fine and Gray, Hurdle models), we assessed the relationship between peritonitis occurrence, peritonitis number over time and the type of assisted PD. Results. Of the 3598 diabetic patients, there were 2040 patients on nurse-assisted PD. These patients were older, more comorbid and more frequently on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). In the multivariate analysis, nurse assistance was associated with a reduced risk of peritonitis in the Fine and Gray [subdistribution hazard ratio: 0.78 (95% confidence interval, CI, 0.68-0.89)] and in the first component of the Hurdle models [rate ratio: 0.82 (95% CI 0.71-0.93)], but not a lower incidence of peritonitis after an initial episode [rate ratio: 0.82 (95% CI 0.95-1.38)]. Transplant failure, glomerulonephritis and CAPD were associated with an increased risk. Conclusions. In France, nurse-assisted PD is associated with a lower risk of peritonitis in diabetic patients treated by PD but not a lower incidence of peritonitis.
Bulletin de la dialyse à domicile, Apr 26, 2023
Rapport annuel RDPLF : profil des patients en dialyse péritonéale en France en 2022, résultats br... more Rapport annuel RDPLF : profil des patients en dialyse péritonéale en France en 2022, résultats bruts et synthétiques (RDPLF annual report: Profile of peritoneal dialysis patients in France in 2022, synthetic raw results) Christian Verger et Emmanuel Fabre Registre de dialyse péritonéale et hémodialyse à domicile de langue française (RDPLF, Pontoise (France)
Bulletin de la dialyse à domicile, Aug 13, 2019
Peritoneal Dialysis International, Mar 1, 2017
Background Peritonitis is a major cause of peritoneal dialysis (PD) failure. Recommendations for ... more Background Peritonitis is a major cause of peritoneal dialysis (PD) failure. Recommendations for the prevention of peritonitis are available, but wide variations exist in the peritonitis rate among countries and PD units. The objective of this study was to describe the different pattern of practices in France. Methods This was a retrospective, multicenter study based on data from the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry. Center practices were described and mapped. Clusters of practices were sought in a hierarchical analysis and centers belonging to the same clusters of practices were mapped. Results Data from 2,770 catheters placed in 64 centers in France between 1 February 2012 and 31 December 2016 were considered. A median of 34 (ranging from 5 to 133) catheters was reported in each center. Twenty-eight (43.8%) centers routinely administered a prophylactic antibiotic prior to catheter placement, and 8 (12.5%) centers applied a local prophylactic antibiotic at the exit site, as recommended by International guidelines. The presence of a PD nurse specialized in PD or PD referent nephrologist was not associated with better adherence to guidelines. Practices were heterogeneous across centers. We identified 5 clusters of centers according to practice. Geographical proximity was not associated with homogeneity in practices. Conclusion Peritoneal dialysis practices are heterogeneous in France, even those that are subject to International guidelines. Studies to identify associations between center-specific practices and PD patient outcomes remain mandatory. Efforts should be made to standardize the PD standards of care in France.
American Journal of Nephrology, 2021
Introduction: There is limited information on the trends of peritoneal dialysis (PD) technique su... more Introduction: There is limited information on the trends of peritoneal dialysis (PD) technique survival over time. This study aimed to estimate the effect of calendar time on technique survival, transfer to hemodialysis (HD) (and the individual causes of transfer), and patient survival. Methods: This retrospective, multicenter study, based on data from the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry, analyzed 14,673 patients who initiated PD in France between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2016. Adjusted Cox regressions with robust variance were used to examine the probability of a composite end point of either death or transfer to HD, death, and transfer to HD, accounting for the nonlinear impact of PD start time. Results: There were 10,201 (69.5%) cases of PD cessation over the study period: 5,495 (37.4%) deaths and 4,706 (32.1%) transfers to HD. The rate of PD cessation due to death or transfer to HD decreased over time (PR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.95–0.97). Compared to 2009–2010, starting PD between 2005 and 2008 or 2011 and 2016 was strongly associated with a lower rate of transfer to HD (PR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81–0.96, and PR 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84–0.99, respectively), mostly due to a decline in the rate of infection-related transfers to HD (PR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.94–0.98). Conclusions: Rates of the composite end point of either death or transfer to HD, death, and transfer to HD have decreased in recent decades. The decline in transfers to HD rates, observed since 2011, is mainly the result of a significant decline in infection-related transfers.
Peritoneal Dialysis International, Sep 1, 2016
♦ Introduction: This study was carried out to investigate the center effect on the risk of perito... more ♦ Introduction: This study was carried out to investigate the center effect on the risk of peritoneal dialysis (PD) failure within the first 6 months of therapy using a multilevel approach. ♦ Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study based on data from the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry. We analyzed 5,406 incident patients starting PD between January 2008 and December 2012 in 128 PD centers. The end of the observation period was December 31, 2013. ♦ Results: Of the 5,406 patients, 415 stopped PD within the first 6 months. There was a significant heterogeneity between centers (variance of the random effect: 0.10). Only 3% of the variance of the event of interest was attributable to differences between centers. At the individual level, only treatment before PD (odds ratio [OR]: 1.93 for hemodialysis and OR: 2.29 for renal transplantation) and underlying nephropathy (p < 0.01) were associated with early PD failure. At the center level, only center experience was associated (OR: 0.78) with the risk of PD failure. Center effect accounted for 52% of the disparities between centers. ♦ Conclusion: Center effect on early PD failure is significant. Center experience is associated with a lower risk of transfer to hemodialysis.
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, Sep 26, 2013
Background. Technical failure is more likely to occur in the first 6 months of peritoneal dialysi... more Background. Technical failure is more likely to occur in the first 6 months of peritoneal dialysis (PD). This study was carried out to identify risk factors for early transfer from PD to haemodialysis (HD) in a country where assisted PD is available. Methods. All patients from the French Language Peritoneal Dialysis Registry (RDPLF) who started PD between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2010 were included. Time to transfer, death and transplantation during the first 6 months on PD were analysed by the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model. The Fine and Gray model was used to examine the occurrence of technical failure by considering death and transplantation as competing events. Results. Of 9675 patients included, 615 (6.3%) moved to HD during the first 6 months of PD. Cumulative incidence of transfer to HD was 6.6% at 6 months. On multivariate analysis by both the Cox model and the Fine and Gray model, HD prior to PD, allograft failure and early peritonitis were associated with a higher risk of early technical failure, whereas being dialysed in a centre treating more than 20 new patients per year was associated with a lower risk of early transfer to HD. Conclusions. Patients treated by HD before PD and failed transplant patients had a higher risk of early PD failure when competing events were considered.
Peritoneal Dialysis International, May 1, 2011
... Groningen, 15 Groningen, Netherlands. Correspondence to: AM Summers, Department of Renal Rese... more ... Groningen, 15 Groningen, Netherlands. Correspondence to: AM Summers, Department of Renal Research, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL United Kingdom.Angela.Summers{at}cmft.nhs.uk. The beginning is the most important part of the work. ...
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Many of these abstracts reflect work of particular interest to clinicians and nurses and should be developed into a full article. We therefore encourage authors to write a full article and submit it to the BDD at https://www.bdd.rdplf.org. They will be double-blind peer-reviewed and, if accepted, will be published promptly in both languages to ensure the widest possible dissemination.
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