BACKGROUND: In dialysis patients, the obesity-survival paradox still requires an explanation. Anemia and high doses of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) are associated with worse outcomes in the hemodialysis (HD) population. In the present study, we explored the relation between obesity and anemia control in a sample of maintenance HD patients in Egypt. METHODS: This multicenter observational study included 733 patients on maintenance HD from 9 hemodialysis centers in Egypt. Clinical and laboratory data as well as average doses of ESAs and parenteral iron were recorded. The erythropoietin resistance index (ERI) was calculated. RESULTS: Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2, was present in 22.6% of the studied population. The target hemoglobin level (10.0–11.5 g/dL) was achieved in 27.3% of non-obese and 25.3% of obese patients, with no significant difference. The median serum ferritin and the values of transferrin saturation index did not differ significantly between these two groups. The weekly ESA dose was significantly lower in obese than in non-obese patients (P = 0.0001). A trend toward higher ESA doses and ERI values was observed in patients with lower BMIs (P < 0.0001). Multiple linear regression revealed that the BMI and urea reduction ratio were the strongest predictors of the ERI. CONCLUSION: Our study adds more evidence to obesity-associated advantages in HD patients. BMI may determine ESA response, with better responses observed in patients with higher BMIs.
Anemia ; Body Mass Index ; Dialysis ; Egypt ; Erythropoietin* ; Ferritins ; Humans ; Iron ; Linear Models ; Obesity* ; Observational Study ; Renal Dialysis* ; Transferrin ; Urea

PURPOSE: Combined anterior and posterior ring (APR) fixation is classically performed in Tile B2 and C1 injuries to achieve superior biomechanical stability. However, the posterior ring (PR) is the main weight bearing portion that is responsible for weight transmission from the upper parts of the body to the lower limbs through the sacrum and the linea terminalis. It is hypothesized that isolated PR fixation can achieve comparable radiological and clinical outcomes to APR fixation. Therefore, we conducted this study to compare the two fixation principles in managing Tile B2 and C1 injuries. METHODS: Our study included 20 patients with Tile B2 injuries and 20 patients with Tile C1 injuries. This study was a randomized control single-blinded study via computerized random numbers with a 1:1 allocation by using random block method. The study was performed at a level one trauma center. A total of 40 patients with Tile B2 and C1 injuries underwent combined APR or isolated PR fixation (Group A and B, respectively). Matta & Tornetta radiological principles and Majeed pelvic scoring system were used for the assessment of primary outcomes and postoperative complications. Secondary outcomes included operative time, amount of blood loss, intraoperative assessment of reduction, need of another operation, length of hospital stay, ability to weight bear postoperatively and pain control metrics. We used student t-test to compare the difference in means between two groups, and Chi-square test to compare proportions between two qualitative parameters. We set the confidence interval to 95% and the margin of error accepted to 5%. So, p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 18 months. The operative time (mean difference 0.575 h) and the intraoperative blood loss (mean difference 97.5 mL) were lower in Group B. Also, despite the higher frequency of rami displacement before union in the same group, there were no significant differences in terms of radiological outcome (excellent outcome with OR = 2.357), clinical outcome (excellent outcome with OR = 2.852) and postoperative complications assessment (OR = 1.556) at last follow-up. CONCLUSION The authors concluded that isolated PR fixation could favorably manage Tile B2 and C1 pelvic ring injuries with Nakatani zone II pubic rami fractures and intact inguinal ligament. Its final radiological and clinical outcomes and postoperative complications were comparable to combined APR fixation, but with less morbidity (shorter operation time, lower amount of blood, and no records of postoperative wound infection).
Humans ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Pelvic Bones/injuries* ; Bone Screws ; Retrospective Studies ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Spinal Fractures ; Treatment Outcome