The novel coronavirus disease was declared as a pandemic and CKD is an important risk factor for morbidity and mortality. Dialysis has additional contributions on transmission risk so prompt preventive strategies were implemented for dialysis patients. We aimed to evaluate pandemic‐related perceptions and concerns of dialysis patients and differences between dialysis modalities. An anonymous survey for assessing concerns, knowledge, and attitudes about the pandemic was sent online to a total of 339 patients on maintenance dialysis at four tertiary dialysis centers in Turkey. A total of 309 patients (54.9 ± 15.1 years, 51.6% females, 55.7% in‐center HD, 44.3% peritoneal dialysis) enrolled. The anonymous online survey was conducted at the end of April 2020. HD patients were more concerned about transmission risk (p = 0.002) and risks associated with the dialysis treatment environment and the transport methods (p < 0.001). The total concern score was significantly higher in the HD group (2.60 ± 0.93 vs. 1.65 ± 0.54, p < 0.001). The knowledge about the pandemic and prevention methods and the attitudes of prevention were similar between the groups (p = 0.161 and 0.418, respectively). The compliance rate of personal preventive strategies was 98.1%. Considering changing the current dialysis modality due to the pandemic was higher in the HD group (p < 0.001). Although the preventive strategies were performed properly in the HD centers, HD patients were more concerned about the Covid‐19 outbreak compared with PD. Our results support home dialysis treatments for modality decisions with patients' positive perspective of PD over HD during the pandemic.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects of Ramadan fasting on renal functions in patients with stage 3 and 4 chronic kidney disease. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in Ramadan month which was between June and July. Patients were evaluated before Ramadan, the week immediately following the end of the Ramadan, and 3 and 6 months after Ramadan. Results: Twenty-four fasting (mean age of 68 ± 13 years) and 55 non-fasting individuals (mean age of 69 ± 9 years) were included in this study. There was no statistically significant difference for creatinine levels in the first week after Ramadan in both groups compared to levels before Ramadan (p = 0.070, p = 0.470, respectively). The groups were compared according to the criteria of deterioration in renal function (reduction of 25% in GFR and 30% increase in serum creatinine levels). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups according to these two criteria (p = 0.452, p = 0.660, respectively). In univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis, the presence of diabetes mellitus and proteinuria were found to be independent risk determinants of renal dysfunction. Conclusion: Patients with diabetes mellitus and prominent proteinuria may constitute critical patient groups for renal function deterioration during Ramadan fasting.

Background and Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health issue with rising incidence linked to substantial morbidity and mortality. Selenium, an antioxidant trace element, has been linked to low serum levels in end-stage renal disease. Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), a sleep disorder, is prevalent in CKD patients and significantly impacts their quality of life. The objective of this study was to examine the correlation between serum selenium levels and the prevalence of restless leg syndrome in individuals with chronic kidney disease. Materials and Methods: Forty-six CKD patients undergoing serum selenium level assessments between 1 January 2020 and 28 February 2022, at the Hitit University Faculty of Medicine Department of Nephrology Outpatient Clinic or Hemodialysis Unit, were included. Patients over 18 years of age with no history of hematological or oncological diseases or acute or chronic inflammatory conditions were included in the study groups. Patients taking selenium supplements were excluded. Demographic data, comorbidities, and laboratory values were collected, and RLS presence and severity were evaluated. Statistical analyses include descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, the Mann–Whitney U test, Student’s t test, and Chi-square test. Results: Among the 46 patients, 16 (34.78%) had RLS symptoms. The patient group included 34.78% predialysis, 34.78% peritoneal dialysis, and 30.44% hemodialysis patients, with a median age of 47.98 years. There was no difference in age, gender, and Charlson comorbidity between patients with or without RLS (p = 0.881, p = 0.702, p = 0.650). RLS prevalence varied across CKD subgroups, with hemodialysis patients having a higher prevalence (p = 0.036). Clinical parameters such as blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, platelet counts, and parathyroid hormone levels exhibited significant differences between patients with and without RLS (p < 0.05). Serum selenium levels were not significantly different between patients with and without RLS (p = 0.327). Conclusions: With an increased comorbidity burden, CKD poses a significant healthcare challenge. When accompanied by RLS, this burden can be debilitating. The difference in CKD stages between groups has shed light on a critical determinant of RLS in this population, emphasizing the role of the chronic kidney disease stage. In our study, serum selenium levels were not associated with the presence and severity of RLS. However, prospective studies with larger numbers of participants are needed to draw a definitive conclusion.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the point prevalence of fibromyalgia in patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis and after renal transplantation compared to healthy controls and to evaluate depressive symptoms, anxiety level, and the impact of fibromyalgia on quality of life (QoL). Patients and methods: Between January 2018 and January 2019, a total of 107 hemodialysis patients (Group 1) (48 males, 59 females; median age: 50 years; range, 42 to 56 years), 51 peritoneal dialysis patients (Group 2) (32 males, 19 females; median age: 49 years; range, 39 to 54 years), 52 renal transplant patients (Group 3) (23 males, 29 females; median age: 45.5 years; range, 37 to 52 years), and 50 healthy controls (Group 4) (23 males, 27 females; median age: 46.5 years; range, 42 to 50 years) were included in the study. Age, sex, amount of time spent on dialysis, and laboratory data were recorded. Impact of fibromyalgia on QoL was evaluated using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ), while depressive symptoms and anxiety level were assessed using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), respectively. Results: The point prevalence of fibromyalgia was 14% in Group 1 (n=15), 5.9% in Group 2 (n=3), 9.6% in Group 3 (n=5), and 4% in Group 4. There was a significant difference in the point prevalence of fibromyalgia between the hemodialysis group and healthy controls (p