Background: Chronic kidney disease patients are at risk for autonomic dysfunction (AD). Prevalence and associated factors of AD in patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) are not clearly known.

Objective: To determine the prevalence and identify the associated factors of AD in CAPD patients.

Material and method: A prospective observational study was conducted among CKD patients who received CAPD at the Renal Unit, Lampang Hospital from August 2019 to January 2020. Testing for AD by observing
an EKG record of heart rate variability during deep breathing (HRVDB) in 1 minute was carried out. The comparison between the AD group and non-AD group was obtained by statistical analysis. The regression analysis was used to determine the associated factors of AD.

Results: A total of 130 CAPD patients were eligible and AD was found in 93 cases (71.5%). Diabetes and overweight were more commonly found in the AD group than the non-AD group (51.6% vs 27.0%, p=0.012 and 49.5% vs 21.6%, p=0.005, respectively). The AD group received diuretics (77.4% vs 56.8%, p=0.030) and beta-blockers (60.2% vs 32.4%, p=0.006) more than the non-AD group.The associated factors of AD by univariate analysis were overweight (OR 3.55, 95%CI 1.47-8.57, p=0.005), diabetes (OR 2.88, 95%CI 1.25-6.62, p=0.013), receiving beta blockers (OR 3.15, 95%CI 1.41-7.05, p=0.005) and receiving diuretics (OR 2.61, 95%CI 1.16-5.88, p=0.020). With the multivariate analysis, the associated factors of AD were overweight (OR 2.65, 95%CI 1.03-6.85, p=0.044) and diabetes (OR 2.42, 95%CI 1.01-5.84, p=0.049).

Conclusions: Prevalence of AD in CAPD patients was 71.5%. Overweight and diabetes were significant associated factors.