Is Low Serum Albumin a Predictor Sign of the Incidence of Peritoneal Dialysis-Associated Peritonitis? A Quasi-systematic Review

Peritonitis is associated with an increasing morbidity and mortality rate in peritoneal dialysis patients. A number of peritonitis cases result in hypoalbuminemia, and in other cases, peritonitis follows a decline in the serum albumin level. However, it is not clear whether the level of serum albumin can be utilized to predict and prevent the incidence of peritonitis. A quasi-systematic search of the literature was conducted in the following databases: Cochrane, EBSCO, ProQuest, AHMED, CINHAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, from January 2008 to January 2018. The data was reviewed and extracted from each study. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Six articles met the stated inclusion criteria of the quasi-systematic review. The study found a significant correlation between a low serum albumin level at the start of continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and the development of peritonitis. Thus, hypoalbuminemia can be utilized as a warning sign of the occurrence of peritonitis in CAPD. Consequently, immediate intervention is required when the level of serum albumin declines in order to prevent peritonitis.