Background Decreased cardiopulmonary reserve is common in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, impacting their quality of life and contributing to exercise intolerance. The objective of the study was to investigate these gender differences in cardiopulmonary reserve function and its associated determinants in PD patients. Methods We enrolled 137 PD patients from our hospital between September 2021 and February 2023. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPX) was performed 1 month after the start of PD. Demographic and hematologic data were analyzed. Results The serum creatinine/serum cystatin C ratio (Cr/CysC) reflects skeletal muscle mass, and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is considered an important marker of renal function. Female patients had lower values than male patients. Although the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) did not differ between males and females (1.2 1.13, 1.27 vs. 1.16 1.12, 1.21; p > 0.05), both indices affecting oxygen output and utilization were reduced in females. Conclusions Female PD patients exhibit diminished cardiopulmonary reserve compared to males, with reserve function further modulated by age, albumin, and lung capacity.
Wu et al. (Thu,) studied this question.