OBJECTIVE: To determine if the rate of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related infections in our large Native population was higher than in non-Natives. DESIGN: Prospective study of PD-related infections, 1987 to 1993. PATIENTS: Forty-eight Natives and 136 non-Natives were studied. Comparisons of infection rates were made as well as determinations of the effect of diabetes and of dialysis techniques on infection rate. RESULTS: The chance of remaining free of peritonitis was far lower at 6 and 12 months in Natives versus non-Natives, 40% versus 76% at 6 months, and 24% versus 54% at 12 months (p