Patient characteristics.

Clinical data and laboratory values of (n) patients, collected before the surgeries that allowed collection of peritoneal biopsy samples. Values are shown as means ± s.e.m. for the EPS group and as means for the smaller PD and Uremic groups. Smoking history was not stratified by duration. Uremic group 24 h urine output was higher than that of the combined PD and EPS groups (p<0.001). Arterial hypertension was defined as resting arterial blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg. Acidic PD solutions were lactate-buffered with pH 5.0–5.5. Neutral (multicomponent) solutions were of pH 6.5. Icodextrin status was listed as positive if used at any time during the course of PD. EPS, Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis; PD, Peritoneal dialysis; CrP, C reactive protein; BUN, blood urea nitrogen.