Long-term follow-up of CAPD patients indicates that these patients are at relatively low risk for developing de novo diabetes mellitus. Transperitoneal glucose absorption and the blood glucose and serum insulin response to the glucose load remain relatively unchanged with time. Alterations in lipid metabolism do occur; there is a tendency for the triglyceride levels to increase after 1 year and to maintain these high values with time. Total HDL cholesterol and its subfractions HDL2 and HDL3 remain unchanged and in the low normal range. Apoprotein A1 levels increase after 1 year and are maintained in the normal range.