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.

Background/Objectives: Knee pain in hemodialysis (HD) patients might affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and may be related to anxiety and depressive symptoms. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of knee pain in chronic HD patients and to determine its relationship with anxiety, depression, and HRQoL, Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study was carried out on chronic HD patients. Sociodemographic, clinical, and therapeutic data were collected. The Knee Pain Screening Tool (KNEST) was used to screen for knee pain. Patients with knee pain were instructed to complete the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). The patients also completed an Arabic-language version of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36 (KDQOL-36™) questionnaire. Results: This study included 271 chronic HD patients; the median age was 51 (IQR 21) years, and most of them were males (59%). Of them, 158 had knee pain. Those with knee pain were more likely to have anxiety compared to those without (p = 0.002) and significantly lower scores on the symptom/problem (p = 0.03) and burden of kidney disease domains (p = 0.047) and the physical health (p < 0.001) and mental health components (p = 0.001). Furthermore, those with moderate to severe knee pain were more likely to experience anxiety (p = 0.001) and depression (p = 0.005) and have a lower physical health composite (PHC) than those with mild knee pain (p = 0.046). Conclusions: HD patients have a significant prevalence of knee pain that is usually associated with anxiety and leads to worse HRQoL than those without knee pain.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a rheumatic disorder characterized by widespread persistent pain, hyperalgesia, and allodynia. Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of FM among Egyptian patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its effect on their health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Materials and methods: This cross-sectional analytical multicenter study was conducted on 550 Egyptian SLE patients. The patients’ sociodemographic characteristics, clinical and therapeutic data, and sleeping patterns were collected. SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) was assessed. We employed the 2016 revisions to the 2010/2011 FM diagnostic criteria to determine the presence of FM and the patients administered the Short-Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36). Results: The mean (SD) age was 32.72 (9.90) years, and 91.3% were female. Of 550 Egyptian SLE patients, 119 (21.6%) fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of FM. The FM group was statistically significantly associated with higher age ( P = 0.001), body mass index (BMI) ( P = 0.008), longer SLE duration ( p < 0.001), and higher scores of SLEDAI ( p < 0.001). Also, living alone ( p < 0.001), chronic psychiatric disease ( p = 0.008), chronic kidney disease ( p = 0.025), and chronic hemodialysis ( p = 0.042) were significantly higher among the FM group. Sleep disorders, such as snoring and sleep apnea, were more prevalent among FM patients. The average sleep hours were significantly lower among the FM group ( p < 0.001). FM patients had statistically significantly lower scores across all domains of SF36. Conclusion: FM is prevalent among Egyptian SLE patients, and shows significant associations with age, BMI, SLE duration and activity, and disturbed sleep pattern and has a negative impact on their HRQoL. Therefore, early detection and treatment are recommended.