Abstract: Objectives To investigate the prevalence of constipation and its related risk factors in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients through a cross-section study in order to guide the prevention, treatment and education of constipation and to reduce constipation-related complications in PD patients. Methods Stable maintenance PD patients who received regular follow-up in PD center of Peking University People's Hospital from Jun. 2015 to Dec. 2015 were enrolled in this study. A questionnaire survey for constipation was used. Constipation was diagnosed by using the international standard of Rome III. General information, drug usage and laboratory tests in these patients were collected. Related risk factors for constipation were analyzed by logistic regression analysis. Results ①A total of 143 PD patients (73 males; average age 59.15±13.03 years) were enrolled in this study. Their PD duration was 37.14±27.79 months. ② Among the 143 patients, 50 patients (35%) had constipation and 61 patients (42.65%) took or used 1.69±0.92 types of laxatives. ③ Logistic regression analyses showed that oral dose of atorvastatin (OR=1.807, 95% CI: 1.021～1.157, P=0.009), Karnofsky score (OR=1.606, 95% CI: 1.704～2.401, P=0.021) and age (OR=1.856, 95% CI: 1.088～3.168, P=0.023) were independent risk factors for constipation in PD patients. Conclusions The prevalence of constipation in maintenance PD patients was high. Constipation was more likely to occur in patients who were elderly, had less activity, and took higher dose of atorvastatin. In addition to conventional education about the importance of constipation prevention, specific preventive and standardized treatment for constipation should be given for PD patients.

Key words: Peritoneal Dialysis, Constipation, Elderly