Name two major advantages of PD over in-center hemodialysis.

• A. It provides faster clearance of toxins than any other modality
• B. It is a home-based therapy with flexible scheduling and potential preservation of residual kidney function due to continuous dialysis.
• C. It does not require any patient training
• D. It carries a higher risk of infection than in-center hemodialysis

Answer: (B)

The two biggest advantages of peritoneal dialysis compared with in-center hemodialysis are its home-based, flexible setup and the continuous, gentler dialysis it provides.

Doing PD at home lets patients schedule exchanges around their daily life—work, caretaking, and travel become easier since treatments can be performed at convenient times or overnight with an automated cycler. This autonomy reduces the need to visit a clinic for every treatment and often improves overall quality of life.

The continuous nature of PD means solute and fluid removal happens steadily rather than in separate, large-dose sessions. This steady clearance helps maintain more stable fluid and electrolyte balance and tends to preserve residual kidney function longer. Preserving native kidney function reduces the later need for dialysis intensity and can improve long-term health outcomes.