What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Peritoneal dialysis (n=209). Intervention: Assisted peritoneal dialysis. Primary outcome: Implementation status of assisted peritoneal dialysis.

What does this research mean for the field?

Assisted peritoneal dialysis is widely utilized in Japan, accounting for 15.9% of all PD patients and primarily relying on family caregivers, though significant challenges remain regarding standardization and integration with broader medical systems. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

This study aims to clarify the implementation status of assisted peritoneal dialysis in Japan.

June 8, 2026

Current status of assisted peritoneal dialysis in Japan: A nationwide questionnaire survey

Key Result

Assisted peritoneal dialysis is implemented in approximately two-thirds of responding facilities in Japan, accounting for 15.9% of all peritoneal dialysis patients.

Key Points

This study aims to clarify the implementation status of assisted peritoneal dialysis in Japan.
Nationwide, cross-sectional questionnaire survey conducted with 310 PD facilities.
22-item paper-based questionnaire developed from literature review and clinical experience.
Responses collected from 209 facilities, achieving a 67.4% response rate.
Assisted PD implemented in approximately two-thirds of facilities, serving 15.9% of all PD patients.
Cognitive decline and muscle weakness identified as primary reasons for initiating assisted PD.
Family members, mainly spouses and adult children, are the main caregivers, with limited cooperation from general practitioners.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=209)

Multicenter

Yes

Structured PICO

Population

209 facilities belonging to the Japanese Society for Peritoneal Dialysis responding to a nationwide questionnaire survey on assisted peritoneal dialysis.

Exposure

Assisted peritoneal dialysis

Outcome

Current status of assisted peritoneal dialysis implementation

Assisted peritoneal dialysis is widely practiced in Japan, accounting for 15.9% of PD patients, but requires better integration with broader medical and social care systems.

Abstract

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to clarify the current status of assisted peritoneal dialysis (PD) implementation in Japan.MethodsA nationwide, cross-sectional, questionnaire survey was conducted by the Working Group of the Academic Committee of the Japanese Society for Peritoneal Dialysis. A paper-based questionnaire of 22 items was developed based on a literature review and clinical experience. The questionnaires were sent to all 310 facilities that were members of the Japanese Society for Peritoneal Dialysis (JSPD).ResultsResponses were received from 209 facilities (response rate 67.4%). It was found that assisted PD is already being implemented in approximately two-thirds of PD facilities, accounting for 15.9% of all PD patients. Cognitive decline and muscle weakness were the leading reasons for starting assisted PD. Family members, particularly spouses and adult children, were the main caregivers in this cohort, either alone or in collaboration with visiting nurses; cooperation with general practitioners was relatively limited. Facilities with a large number of PD patients made use of collaboration with visiting nurses and respite care facilities, remote monitoring, and medical care-specific social networking sites.ConclusionThis nationwide survey demonstrates that assisted PD is widely practiced in Japan and plays a critical role in sustaining PD therapy for elderly and functionally impaired patients. However, substantial heterogeneity in implementation and insufficient integration with broader medical and social care systems remain major challenges. Addressing these issues through standardization, multidisciplinary collaboration, and policy reform will be essential to meet the needs of Japan's rapidly aging dialysis population.

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