Etiological Factors Affecting Single Versus Multiple Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter Cuff Extrusions in the Saudi Population.

Objective: To identify underlying factors associated with single versus multiple expulsions of tunneled hemodialysis catheter cuffs and their associated complications.

Materials And Methods: A multicenter, five-year retrospective data analysis was conducted on hemodialysis patients with tunneled catheters. Patient data included age, gender, BMI, and associated comorbidities.

Multicenter Study to Validate a Hospitalization Risk Assessment Tool in Hemodialysis Patients.

Introduction Protein-energy wasting is a prevalent condition in patients with chronic kidney disease. Our goal was to validate the risk assessment tool (Hashmi's tool) in multiple centers, developed in 2018, as it was easily applicable and cost-effective. Methods The following variables were scored as 0, 1, 2, or 3 as per severity: body mass index, HD vintage in years, functional capacity, serum albumin, serum ferritin, and the number of co-morbid conditions (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease).

Analysis of chronic kidney disease patients by targeted next-generation sequencing identifies novel variants in kidney-related genes.

Despite the enormous economic and societal burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD), its pathogenesis remains elusive, impeding specific diagnosis and targeted therapy. Herein, we sought to elucidate the genetic causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and identify genetic variants associated with CKD and related traits in Saudi kidney disease patients. We applied a genetic testing approach using a targeted next-generation sequencing gene panel including 102 genes causative or associated with CKD.

Paclitaxel-Coated Balloons Compared to Plain Balloon Angioplasty in the Management of Dysfunctional Arteriovenous Fistulae: A Single-Center Randomized Clinical Trial.

The study aimed to compare paclitaxel-coated balloons (PCB) to percutaneous transluminal plain balloon angioplasty (PTA) in the management of dysfunctional arteriovenous fistulae. This single institution randomized controlled trial was approved by the institutional and local review boards and is registered in the ClinicalTrials.gov website.

Parathyroid Hormone Serum Levels and Mortality among Hemodialysis Patients in the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: Results from the DOPPS (2012-2018).

Background: The prospective Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) has collected data since 2012 in all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates). We report the relationship of PTH with mortality in this largest GCC cohort of patients on hemodialysis studied to date.

Methods: Data were from randomly selected national samples of hemodialysis facilities in GCC-DOPPS phases 5 and 6 (2012-2018).

Effect of Fasting the Whole Month of Ramadan on Renal Function Among Muslim Patients With Kidney Transplant: A Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: Muslim renal transplant patients often ask whether fasting during Ramadan would be harmful to their kidneys. We performed a meta-analysis on relevant studies to answer this question.

Materials And Methods: We searched 4 databases using comprehensive search terms with predefined eligibility criteria.

Effect of thyroid function status in hemodialysis patients on erythropoietin resistance and interdialytic weight gain.

Thyroid function abnormalities are common in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Here, we investigated their frequency and impact on intradialytic hemodynamics and erythropoietin resistance index (ERI). Demographic and laboratory data including thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), interdialytic weight gain, and intradialytic blood pressure (BP) changes were measured, and ERI was calculated.

Improvement in dialysis-related adverse events with use of body composition monitoring.

This study aims to utilize body composition monitor (BCM) device to achieve euvolemic status in problematic dialysis patients and to evaluate its clinical outcome. One hundred and five hemodialysis (HD) patients were enrolled based on difficulty in achieving dry weight. The reasons for enrollment in the study were (a) recurrent intradialytic hypotension, (b) intradialytic hypertension, (c) intradialytic muscle cramps, or (d) the presence of comorbid conditions that make clinical assessment of dry weight difficult (e.

A Simple and Cheap Hospitalization Risk Assessment Tool for Use in Hemodialysis Patients.

Objective: To develop a simple, objective, cheap scoring tool incorporating nutritional parameters and other variables to predict hospitalization and mortality among hemodialysis patients - a tool that could be utilized in low resource countries.

Methods: The following variables were scored according to severity into 0, 1, 2 or 3: BMI, functional capacity, HD vintage in years, serum albumin, serum ferritin, and the number of comorbid conditions (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease). This tool was evaluated on our regular hemodialysis patients who were followed up for 24 months (June 2015 till July 2017).

Let Us Listen to Patients: Underutilization of Peritoneal Dialysis from Patients' Perspectives.

Despite the fact that many of the medical outcome data of peritoneal dialysis (PD) have been improving over the past few years, PD remains an underutilized modality in many countries worldwide. Most nephrologists in those countries report a high rate of patients' refusal. We conducted this survey-based study to determine the obstacles behind underutilization of PD in Saudi Arabia from patients' perspectives and to understand the reasons for their refusal.

Trends in Deceased Donor Kidney Availability and Utilization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Objectives: We investigated trends in deceased donor kidney availability and utilization in Saudi Arabia, wait list changes, and recipient characteristics.

Materials And Methods: Ten-year registry data from the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation were analyzed, including consent/discard rates, numbers of kidneys from deceased donors versus expanded criteria and standard criteria donors, wait list characteristics, dialysis characteristics, and causes of chronic kidney disease.

Results: Annual mean number of deceased donor transplants remained almost constant over the 10-year period (mean of 129).

Variables affecting darbepoetin resistance index in hemodialysis patients.

Erythropoietin resistance index calculation has been used as a tool to evaluate anemia response to erythropoietin therapy. Very little has been reported in its use when using darbepoetin and factors influencing in Arab patients. Darbepoetin resistance index (DRI) was calculated in all our patients using darbepoetin.

Predictability and Risk Factors for Development of New-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus After Transplant in the Saudi Population.

Objectives: The study objective was to investigate the predictability and risk factors for the development of new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus after transplant in the Saudi population.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective observational cohort study in adult kidney transplant recipients who developed new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus after transplant. Patients with and without new-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus after transplant were compared for demographic factors, blood glucose levels at 4-hour intervals for 24 hours after transplant, and serum creatinine levels at 6 and 12 months after transplant.

Erythrocyte sedimentation rate in stable patients on chronic hemodiaysis.

The objective of this study was to assess the value and determinants of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in stable patients on regular hemodialysis (HD). Pre-dialysis and post-dialysis ESR was measured in a group of stable adult patients on regular HD and the results were compared. The results were also correlated with the patients' demographic and laboratory data.

Changes in biochemical, hemodynamic, and dialysis adherence parameters in hemodialysis patients during Ramadan.

This paper aimed to study the effect of Ramadan fasting on biochemical and clinical parameters and compliance for dialysis. A prospective multicenter observational cross-sectional study comparing fasting with a non-fasting stable adult hemodialysis patients for demographic and biochemical parameters, compliance with dialysis, inter-dialytic weight gain, pre- and post-blood pressure, and frequency of intradialytic hypotensive episodes was carried out. Six hundred thirty-five patients, of whom 64.

Level of dietary awareness among Saudi dialysis patients and the influence of various factors.

Our objective was to investigate the degree of dietary awareness of Saudi patients on chronic hemodialysis and influencing factors on this awareness. This is an interviewadministered survey-based cross-sectional study carried out on adult dialysis patients at the King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh. The first part of the survey consisted of the collection of demographic data and the second part consisted of questions in the areas of awareness on the dietary influence of sodium, potassium, fluid intake and calcium/phosphorous and lipids.

Stroke-free status and depression scores among Saudi dialysis patients.

Background: To assess the prevalence of stroke symptoms and depression among Saudi dialysis patients and related factors.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional multicentre study of Saudi dialysis patients. Demographics, clinical and laboratory's data were collected.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome with tactile hallucinations secondary to dialysis disequilibrium syndrome.

We report what we believe is the first case of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) secondary to dialysis disequilibrium syndrome (DDS) in patients in whom all other possible causes of PRES were excluded and in whom a transient episode of tactile hallucination also occurred. We believe that this case of DDS was particularly severe, leading to PRES because of the late institution of dialysis therapy and the concomitant severe degree of metabolic acidosis on presentation.

Safety climate in dialysis centers in Saudi Arabia: a multicenter study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the safety climate as perceived by nurses and physicians in the dialysis units in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey-based multicenter study using the Safety Climate Scale, which assesses the perception by staff of the prevailing climate of safety. We used 17 items in this survey.

Effect of repeated ramadan fasting in the hottest months of the year on renal graft function.

Background: Adult Moslems are required to fast during the lunar month of Ramadan every year. Although the sick and travelers, as well as some other specified groups, are exempted from this requirement.

Objectives: To investigate the effect of repeated Ramadan fasting during the hottest months of the year on renal graft functions.

The impact of introducing automated eGFR reporting on uncovering new cases of chronic kidney disease in a University Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To determine the impact of introducing eGFR automated reporting on uncovering new cases of Chronic Kidney Disease.

Methods: All serum creatinine (SCr) in adult patients attending outpatient clinics over a two-month period were recorded and eGFR estimated. Cases with a SCr within normal limits but were in CKD stage 3 (<60 mL/min) or higher were recorded and their numbers, percentages and mean ages calculated.

Comparison of the tuberculin skin test and Quanti-FERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-G) test for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in dialysis patients.

Dialysis patients are more likely than the general population to develop active tuberculosis (TB). In these patients, the availability of a highly sensitive and specific test to diagnose latent TB will ensure earlier treatment and decreased progression to active disease. In the current study, the Quanti-FERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-G) test was compared with the tuberculin skin test (TST) for the diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among 200 hemodialysis patients and 15 confirmed TB disease cases in a tertiary care center in Saudi Arabia.

Comparison of expanded criteria kidneys with 2-tier standard criteria kidneys: role of delayed graft function in short-term graft outcome.

Objectives: To compare transplant outcomes between expanded criteria donor kidneys and standard criteria donor kidneys.

Materials And Methods: All adult renal transplants from deceased donors performed in Saudi Arabia over a 24-month period were included. Donor and recipient factors were recorded, and their effects on outcomes with expanded criteria donor and standard criteria donor kidneys were compared.

Efficacy and safety of treatment of hepatitis C virus infection in renal transplant recipients.

Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of combined pegylated interferon and ribavirin therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in renal transplant recipients.

Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of post renal transplant patients who were positive for anti-HCV and HCV-RNA, and who have received treatment with combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin between October 2003 and December 2008. Only patients with stable graft function and absence of evidence of cirrhosis and who received the therapy for continuous 48 wk were included.

A study of quality of life and its determinants among hemodialysis patients using the KDQOL-SF instrument in one center in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: We aimed to assess quality of life (QOL) among Saudi hemodialysis (HD) patients and the impact on the QOL of a certain demographic and clinical factors.

Methods: The QOL was assessed using an Arabic version of Kidney Disease Quality of Life Instrument Short Form (KDQOL-SF). Mean scores were compared for individual domain scores and for the three composite summary scores, namely the mental component score (MCS), the physical component score (PCS) and kidney-disease component score (KDCS).