Effect of Timing of Dialysis Commencement on Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Planned Initiation of Peritoneal Dialysis in the Ideal Trial

♦ Background Since the mid-1990s, early dialysis initiation has dramatically increased in many countries. The Initiating Dialysis Early and Late (IDEAL) study demonstrated that, compared with late initiation, planned early initiation of dialysis was associated with comparable clinical outcomes and increased health care costs. Because residual renal function is a key determinant of outcome and is better preserved with peritoneal dialysis (PD),...