Concordance between muscle mass assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis and by muscle ultrasound: a cross-sectional study in a cohort of patients on chronic hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia is a common problem in hemodialysis (HD) patients, and it is diagnosed by low muscle mass, strength and/or low physical performance. Muscle ultrasound (US) is a non-invasive portable tool that might be used for assessment of muscle mass. The aim of the current study was to investigate the concordance between muscle US and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in diagnosis of sarcopenia in HD patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 41 HD patients. Sarcopenia was diagnosed according to the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People (EWGSOP). The skeletal mass index was measured by BIA and the muscle strength was measured by handgrip strength. Muscle US was used to measure cross-sectional area (CSA) and thickness of quadriceps and biceps muscles. RESULTS: The current study included 41 patients on HD (25 males), with a mean (SD) age of 44.18 (13.11) years and a median HD duration of 48 months. Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 58.5% of the patients. Patients with sarcopenia had significantly lower quadriceps muscle CSA than those without sarcopenia. The optimal cut-offs of quadriceps muscle CSA for both males and females for the diagnosis of sarcopenia were 2.96 and 2.92 cm2, respectively. CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia is prevalent among Egyptian HD patients. US on quadriceps muscle CSA could be used for diagnosis of sarcopenia in these patients.

Symptom burden, fatigue, sleep quality and perceived social support in hemodialysis patients with musculoskeletal discomfort: a single center experience from Egypt.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are commonly encountered in hemodialysis (HD) patients. However, the causes linked to these disorders are still partially defined. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of MSDs and their relationship to a variety of clinico-social characteristics such as sleep quality, mood disorders, fatigue, and social support, in addition to the patients' clinical and therapeutic profile. METHOD: The study included 94 patients on maintenance HD. Clinical and Sociodemographic data was gathered. To investigate the prevalence and trends of MSDs, the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ-E) was employed. Patients completed the modified Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), and Perceived Social Support from Family Scales. Univariate and multivariate regression analysis were used to assess the determinants of MSDs. RESULTS: The patients' mean age was 49.73 and 59.6% were males. Seventy-two percent of patients were afflicted by MSDs. Knee pain (48.9%), low back pain (43.6%), shoulder pain (41.6%), hip/thigh pain (35.1%), and neck pains (35.1%) were the most reported MSD domains. Pain (p = 0.001), fatigue (p = 0.01), depression (p = 0.015), and anxiety (p = 0.003) scores were substantially higher in patients with MSDs. Furthermore, patients with MSDs engaged in less physical activity (p = 0.02) and perceived less social support (p = 0.029). Patients with MSDs had lower subjective sleep quality, daytime dysfunction domains, and global PSQI scores (p = 0.02, 0.031, 0.036, respectively). Female gender (p = 0.013), fatigue (p = 0.012), depression (p = 0.014), anxiety (p = 0.004), lower activity (p = 0.029), and PSQI score (0.027), use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), antihypertensive drugs, calcium and Iron supplementation were all significantly associated with MSDs. At the multivariable regression model, administration of ESAs (p = 0.017) and pain score (p = 0.040) were the only independent variables associated with the outcome. CONCLUSION: MSDs are quite common among HD patients. Female gender, pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, reduced activity, poor sleep quality, and use of ESAs are all significantly associated with MSDs in HD patients. Patients with MSD perceived less social support compared to the other group. Patients treated with antihypertensive drugs, calcium and iron supplements were more likely to suffer MSDs.

Mixed uremic osteodystrophy: an ill-described common bone pathology in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Renal osteodystrophy (ROD) starts early and progresses with further loss of kidney function in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). There are four distinct types of ROD based on undecalcified bone biopsy results. Adynamic bone disease and osteomalacia are the predominant forms of low bone turnover, while hyperparathyroid bone disease and mixed uremic osteodystrophy (MUO) are typically associated with high bone turnover. MUO is a prevalent but poorly described pathology that demonstrates evidence of osteomalacia on top of the high bone formation/resorption. The prevalence of MUO ranges from 5 to 63% among different studies. The pathogenesis of MUO is multi-factorial. Altered phosphate homeostasis, hypocalcemia, vitamin D deficiency, increased FGF-23, interleukins 1 and 6, TNF-α, amyloid, and heavy metal accumulation are the main inducers of MUO. The clinical findings of MUO are usually non-specific. The use of non-invasive testing such as bone turnover markers and imaging techniques might help to suspect MUO. However, it is usually impossible to precisely diagnose this condition without performing bone biopsy. The principal management of MUO is to control the maladaptive hyperparathyroidism along with correcting any nutritional mineral deficiencies that may induce mineralization defect. MUO is a common but still poorly understood bone pathology category; it demonstrates the complexity and difficulty in understanding ROD. A large prospective bone biopsy-based studies are needed for better identification as proper diagnosis and management would improve the outcome of patients with MUO.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Vitamin D Deficiency in High Altitude Region in Saudi Arabia: Three-Year Retrospective Study.

Background: Vitamin D has many functions in the human body, and its deficiency is associated with skeletal and non-skeletal diseases. Vitamin D deficiency (blood level of 25 (OH) vitamin D < 20 ng/mL) has been reported worldwide, including Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Its prevalence and associated factors vary according to KSA region. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the prevalence and risk factors of vitamin D deficiency in the Taif region of KSA. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who attended outpatient clinics at the Alameen General Hospital from 2019 to 2021. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected using a hospital software system. Results: The study included 2153 patients and vitamin D deficiency was diagnosed in 900 (41.8%) of whom were diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency. It was more common in males (P=0.021), younger age (<0.001), and in patients without comorbidities. There was a positive correlation between 25 (OH) vitamin D levels and blood cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, calcium, and vitamin B12 levels. In the binary logistic regression analysis, age was the most significant predictor (P<0.001), followed by the absence of thyroid disease (P=0.012) and asthma (P=0.030). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is common in the Saudi population despite sunny weather in KSA. It is more prevalent among males, younger individuals, and those without comorbidities such as thyroid diseases and asthma.

Incidence of bone fractures among patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic kidney disease, especially those undergoing hemodialysis (HD), have a higher risk of fragility fractures. However, the magnitude of the problem and risk factors associated with fracture incidence have not been well studied in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This multicenter retrospective study involved HD centers in Jeddah from 2015 to 2021. This study included all adult HD patients. Patient demographics, medication usage, and clinical and biochemical parameters were collected from the registry records. RESULTS: The study included 328 patients on HD, with a mean age of 53 years. The median duration of HD was 47 months. Osteoporosis was found in 9% of the patients, and 8% had a previous parathyroidectomy. Over the observation period, fractures occurred in 32 patients, with an incidence rate of 20 case/1000 end stage kidney disease patients-year. Patients with fractures had a higher rate of osteoporosis, underwent more parathyroidectomy, had longer HD vintage, and higher bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP) levels. BSAP was the most significant predictor of fracture incidence in the regression analysis. Using a BSAP cutoff value of 96.6 µg/L, the sensitivity and specificity to predict fractures were 81.8% and 49%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The main risk factors for incident fractures were osteoporosis, previous parathyroidectomy, longer HD vintage, and higher BSAP level. A higher BSAP score was the most significant predictor of incident fractures. This may highlight the importance of monitoring bone turnover markers and the negative impact of high bone turnover on patient health.

Karyomegalic interstitial nephritis as a rare cause of kidney graft dysfunction: case report and review of literature.

Karyomegalic interstitial nephritis (KIN) is a rare cause of chronic interstitial nephritis characterized by enlarged renal tubular epithelial nuclei. The first case of KIN reported in a kidney graft was in 2019. Here, we report the first case of KIN in 2 brothers receiving kidneys from 2 different unrelated living donors. A male kidney transplant recipient with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis as the original kidney disease presented with graft impairment and proteinuria, and graft biopsy revealed KIN. This patient had a brother who was also a kidney transplant recipient and had one episode of graft impairment and was diagnosed with KIN as well.

Anxiety and depression in maintenance hemodialysis patients: prevalence and their effects on health-related quality of life.

PURPOSE: The aims of the study are to explore the prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression in hemodialysis (HD) patients and to study their relationship with quality of life (QOL). METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 298 HD patients. Sociodemographic, clinical, and laboratory data of the patients were obtained from their records. Anxiety and depression were assessed by utilizing Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). In addition, QOL of the patients were evaluated by fulfilling the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36. RESULTS: This study included 298 HD patients (male 59.1%) with a median age of 49 years. Abnormal and borderline cases of anxiety were recognized in 49.6%, 26.2% of the patients, respectively, while depression cases and borderline cases were identified in 55 and 28.2% of the patients, respectively. Percentages of females (41 and 48% vs 26.4%, respectively), and patients who were not working (92.3 and 93.9% vs 72.2%, respectively) increased significantly in borderline and abnormal anxiety groups. Patients who did not work, led an inactive lifestyle, and smoked had considerably greater percentages in the borderline and abnormal HADS-depression categories than normal patients. Abnormal cases of depression and anxiety had significantly longer duration of HD than other two groups. Abnormal and borderline cases of anxiety and depression had worse QOL components than the normal patients. CONCLUSION: Anxiety and depression are prevalent among HD patients in Egypt, and several sociodemographic and clinical risk factors are associated. In addition, these mental disorders are associated with poor QOL.

Is Adynamic Bone Always a Disease? Lessons from Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Renal osteodystrophy (ROD) is a common complication of end-stage kidney disease that often starts early with loss of kidney function, and it is considered an integral part in management of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Adynamic bone (ADB) is characterized by suppressed bone formation, low cellularity, and thin osteoid seams. There is accumulating evidence supporting increasing prevalence of ADB, particularly in early CKD. Contemporarily, it is not very clear whether it represents a true disease, an adaptive mechanism to prevent bone resorption, or just a transitional stage. Several co-players are incriminated in its pathogenesis, such as age, diabetes mellitus, malnutrition, uremic milieu, and iatrogenic factors. In the present review, we will discuss the up-to-date knowledge of the ADB and focus on its impact on bone health, fracture risk, vascular calcification, and long-term survival. Moreover, we will emphasize the proper preventive and management strategies of ADB that are pivotal issues in managing patients with CKD. It is still unclear whether ADB is always a pathologic condition or whether it can represent an adaptive process to suppress bone resorption and further bone loss. In this article, we tried to discuss this hard topic based on the available limited information in patients with CKD. More studies are needed to be able to clearly address this frequent ROD finding.

Ultrasound Versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Evaluation of Shoulder Pain in End Stage Renal Disease Patients on Chronic Hemodialysis.

Background: Musculoskeletal pain is common in hemodialysis (HD) patients and may be related to articular or periarticular amyloid deposition. The shoulder is one of the most common afflicted joints, but not all causes of shoulder pain are detectable on radiography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not always available. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) to properly detect shoulder disorders in HD patients by identifying US abnormalities in the shoulder and comparing them to those identified on MRI, with MRI serving as the gold standard test. Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 28 HD patients (16 males and 12 females, mean age 46.89) with either unilateral or bilateral shoulder pain. Demographic data and clinical characteristics were recruited. All patients were subjected to clinical assessment, MSUS and MRI of both shoulders. Results: US abnormalities were prevalent in almost all patients. Supraspinatus tendinopathy was the most common abnormality in symptomatic shoulders (92.1%), followed by subacromial-subdeltoid (SASD) bursitis (65.8%), humoral erosions (57.9%), and acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) osteoarthritis (52.6%). MSUS shows high sensitivity and specificity when compared to MRI in all the studied shoulder pathologies except glenohumeral joint (GHJ) effusion (sensitivity, 33.3%) and infraspinatus tendinopathy (sensitivity, 58.3%). The percentage of agreement between MSUS and MRI in detecting biceps tenosynovitis was 82.14% (kappa, 0.64), subscapularis tendinopathy 83.93% (kappa, 0.654), supraspinatus tendinopathy 91.07% (kappa, 0.617), infraspinatus tendinopathy 82.14% (kappa, 0.470), SASD bursitis 80.36% (kappa, 0.569), humeral head erosions 82.14% (kappa, 0.635), GHJ effusion 82.14% (kappa, 0.352), and ACJ osteoarthritis 76.79% (kappa, 0.539). Conclusions: Shoulder problems are common in HD patients, even in people who do not have obvious shoulder complaints. MSUS is a valuable imaging technique that assists in the diagnosis of HD patients who report shoulder pain.

Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccination among maintenance hemodialysis patients: an Egyptian survey study.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality especially among maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. COVID-19 vaccination is important to decrease risk and severity of COVID-19 infection. However, vaccine hesitancy is a significant barrier to vaccination. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the vaccine acceptability among Egyptian MHD patients. METHODS: We conducted a paper-based survey on 237 MHD patients in 2 tertiary Egyptian hemodialysis (HD) centers. The survey consisted of a questionnaire that addressed demographic and clinical data, knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 infection and vaccines, beliefs regarding both conventional and COVID-19 vaccines, intention of COVID-19 vaccination together with motivators for and barriers against vaccination, sources of information regarding COVID-19 vaccines. RESULTS: According to intention to be vaccinated, the patients were divided into vaccine acceptant (VA), hesitant (VH), and resistant (VR) groups who comprised 58.3%, 26.5%, and 15.2%, respectively. Only occupational status and residency were significantly different between the three groups. In 60% of VA group, fear of infection was the main motivator for vaccination. Meanwhile, 40% of VH and VR groups reported that fear of serious side effects of vaccines was the main barrier against vaccination. Television was the primary information source (58.6%) about COVID-19 vaccination while only 18% of patients got their COVID-19 vaccine information from their nephrologists. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of MHD patients accept to receive COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine acceptability is not associated with age, gender, educational level, but rather with employment status and residency.

Secondary Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases.

Fragility fracture is a worldwide problem and a main cause of disability and impaired quality of life. It is primarily caused by osteoporosis, characterized by impaired bone quantity and or quality. Proper diagnosis of osteoporosis is essential for prevention of fragility fractures. Osteoporosis can be primary in postmenopausal women because of estrogen deficiency. Secondary forms of osteoporosis are not uncommon in both men and women. Most systemic illnesses and organ dysfunction can lead to osteoporosis. The kidney plays a crucial role in maintaining physiological bone homeostasis by controlling minerals, electrolytes, acid-base, vitamin D and parathyroid function. Chronic kidney disease with its uremic milieu disturbs this balance, leading to renal osteodystrophy. Diabetes mellitus represents the most common secondary cause of osteoporosis. Thyroid and parathyroid disorders can dysregulate the osteoblast/osteoclast functions. Gastrointestinal disorders, malnutrition and malabsorption can result in mineral and vitamin D deficiencies and bone loss. Patients with chronic liver disease have a higher risk of fracture due to hepatic osteodystrophy. Proinflammatory cytokines in infectious, autoimmune, and hematological disorders can stimulate osteoclastogenesis, leading to osteoporosis. Moreover, drug-induced osteoporosis is not uncommon. In this review, we focus on causes, pathogenesis, and management of secondary osteoporosis.

The Relation of Serum Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate Level to Protein Energy Wasting in Hemodialysis Patients.

Protein-energy wasting (PEW) is a major risk for morbidity and mortality in hemodialysis (HD) patients. The change in the concentration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) may play a role in PEW. The aim of this work was to study the possible relationship between serum DHEA-S levels and various nutritional and inflammatory parameters in a cohort of HD patients. In total, 78 HD patients (47 males and 31 females) were included in this crosssectional observational study. In addition to taking their history, clinical examinations, and routine laboratory investigations, the nutritional status was assessed, and their serum DHEA-S was measured. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric measures, bioelectrical impedance analysis, malnutrition inflammation scores, and subjective global assessments. A diagnosis of malnutrition was made based on the recommendations of the International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism. The relationship between DHEA-S and various nutritional parameters was analyzed. Eighteen patients (23.1%) suffered from PEW. Those with PEW had a longer duration of HD (P = 0.04), and lower serum levels of creatinine (P = 0.003), hemoglobin (P = 0.01), albumin (P <0.0001), cholesterol (P = 0.02), and DHEA-S (P = 0.01). Among the variables, serum DHEA-S levels were significant predictors of PEW in this cohort (odds ratio: 0.976; 95% confidence interval: 0.954-1.0; P = 0.04). PEW is frequently encountered in HD patients. Decreased serum DHEA-S levels were associated with PEW in male HD patients. Further studies are needed to assess the effect of hormone supplementation on this serious disorder in HD patients.

Renal replacement therapy for critically ill patients with COVID-19-associated acute kidney injury: A review of current knowledge.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly evolved into a global pandemic. A significant proportion of COVID-19 patients develops severe symptoms, which may include acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute kidney injury as manifestations of multi-organ failure. Acute kidney injury (AKI) necessitating renal replacement therapy (RRT) is increasingly prevalent among critically ill patients with COVID-19. However, few studies have focused on AKI treated with RRT. Many questions are awaiting answers as regards AKI in the setting of COVID-19; whether patients with COVID-19 commonly develop AKI, what are the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms? What is the best evidence regarding treatment approaches? Identification of the potential indications and the preferred modalities of RRT in this context, is based mainly on clinical experience. Here, we review the current approaches of RRT, required for management of critically ill patients with COVID-19 complicated by severe AKI as well as the precautions that should be adopted by health care providers in dealing with these cases. Electronic search was conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Scopus scientific databases. We searched the terms relevant to this review to identify the relevant studies. We also searched the conference proceedings and ClinicalTrials.gov database.

Relation of protein energy wasting to carotid intima media thickness in hemodialysis patients.

Carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) can reflect the degree of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk in hemodialysis patients. Factors such as advanced age, male gender, family history, and smoking can increase the risk of CIMT. In hemodialysis (HD) patients, lower serum albumin level was found to be correlated with higher CIMT. This study aimed to evaluate the relation between CIMT and protein energy wasting (PEW) diagnosed according to the diagnostic criteria of International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism (ISRNM) expert panel in HD patients. This study involved 45 HD patients who were divided into two groups according to the diagnostic criteria for PEW proposed by the ISRNM expert panel including group with PEW (11 patients) and group without PEW (34 patients). Caloric intake was evaluated by food frequency questionnaire for 3 days. Subjective global assessment (SGA) and malnutrition inflammation score (MIS) were fulfilled. Anthropometric measurements, as well as body composition, was evaluated by electrical bioimpedance analysis. Doppler ultrasonography was used to assess CIMT that was significantly higher in patients with PEW (p = 0.030). CIMT had significant positive correlation to age, SGA, and MIS (p = 0.008, 0.002, and 0.003, respectively). Significant negative correlation was observed between CIMT and serum albumin. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that serum albumin was the only predictor of mean CIMT. In conclusion, CIMT seems to be related to malnutrition in HD patients. Low serum albumin was the only predictor of CIMT.

Impact of malnutrition on health-related quality of life in patients on maintenance hemodialysis.

Malnutrition is considered as one of the most important risk factors that adversely affect the quality of life (QOL) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Many clinically useful nutrition assessment techniques are now available, but the usefulness of such techniques in predicting QOL in MHD patients had not been sufficiently tested. The aim of this study was to explore the relation between different nutritional assessment methods, and QOL and identify nutritional parameter that can best predict physical and mental domains of QOL in MHD patients. This cross-sectional study involved 84 MHD patients. Nutritional status was assessed by using International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism criteria for diagnosis of protein-energy wasting (PEW), malnutrition inflammation score (MIS), subjective global assessment (SGA), anthropometric measurements, bioelectrical impedance analysis, and biochemical tests. Quality of life was evaluated by using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (36 KDQOL-36). Only mental health composite component of QOL (MHC) showed statistically significant differences between PEW and non-PEW groups. MHC was correlated with serum albumin, MIS, and SGA. Physical health composite component (PHC) was correlated with age, hemodialysis duration, socioeconomic status, comorbidity, educational level, serum creatinine and ferritin, MIS, and SGA. On multiple linear regression analysis, MIS was found to be the most significant predictor of PHC while none of the nutritional parameters can predict MHC. Malnutrition is not uncommon problem in MHD patients that is associated with poor QOL. There are multiple factors associated with PHC and only malnutrition afflicts MHC in those patients.

Association between Plasma Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness among Male and Female Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) is known to be lower in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and in those with cardiac disease, and correlates with a poor cardiovascular outcome. This study aimed to assess the correlation between DHEA-S and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) as a predictor of cardiovascular disease in hemodialysis (HD) patients. METHODS: A total of 88 HD patients were included in this cross-sectional study. They included 53 male (group I) and 35 female patients (group II). In addition to conventional history taking, clinical examination, and routine laboratory investigations, serum DHEA-S and CIMT were measured for all patients. CIMT was measured using B-mode ultrasonography, and the mean of maximum CIMT was recorded. The 2 patient groups were further classified according to the level of DHEA-S. The correlation between serum DHEA-S and CIMT was studied. RESULTS: In male patients, CIMT and age were significantly higher in the group with low DHEA-S level (p = 0.003 and 0.001, respectively), while there was no significant difference in both parameters in females. A higher percentage of HCV-positive patients is present in the male group with low DHEA-S level (p = 0.009). Serum DHEA-S is significantly negatively correlated with CIMT in males (p = 0.003) but not in females, and has a significant negative correlation to age in both genders (p = 0.001 and 0.04, respectively). CONCLUSION: Endocrinal disturbance representing as lower serum DHEA-S is associated with increased CIMT, which is considered a predictor of cardiovascular disease in male HD patients, although it is largely explained by advancing age.

Assessment of Quality of Life among Children with End-Stage Renal Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Measuring health-related quality of life is considered an important outcome indicator in evaluating health-care interventions and treatments and in understanding the burden of diseases. Objectives: This study aimed at assessing quality of life among children with end-stage renal disease, either undergoing hemodialysis or had renal transplantation therapy and comparing it with healthy controls. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2016 and May 2017 in Abo El-Reesh Pediatric Hospital using parent/child reports of generic module for QoL assessment: PedsQLTM Inventory version 4 for both cases and controls. Disease-specific module: PedsQLTM ESRD version 3 was used for ESRD cases. 55 ESRD cases and 86 controls were enrolled in the study. Results: Statistically significant difference between ESRD cases and controls regarding all aspects of QoL was found; total QoL mean score was 58.4 ± 15.3 and 86.8 ± 10 among cases and controls, respectively. All individual QoL domains were significantly worse in ESRD cases. Transplantation group had better Spearman's correlation between child and parents' scores which showed significant positive moderate correlation. Conclusions: ESRD and its treatment modalities are affecting negatively all aspects of quality of life; incorporating QoL assessment and management is highly recommended.

Venous malformations of the head and neck: a diagnostic approach and a proposed management approach based on clinical, radiological, and histopathology findings.

BACKGROUND: There is no easy road map for venous malformations (VMs) of the head and neck according to which treatment modality can be chosen. The purpose of this study was to identify different types of VMs of the head and neck based on clinical, histopathology, MRI, and venography findings that help in specification of different treatment modalities. METHODS: Sixty-nine patients with VMs of the head and neck were included in this study. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Our results proposed a diagnostic approach for VMs of the head and neck. MRI, venography, and clinical examination had important impact in decision-making, whereas histopathology had no impact. A management approach has been suggested for each type and its subtypes.