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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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The pandemic of coronavirus disease–19 (COVID-19) has a profound influence on the health of the population. This study aimed to assess the weight changes and its relation to the dietary habits and physical activity among adult Egyptian population during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: This cross–sectional study was conducted using anonymous online questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed across Egypt via community–based networks, social and institutional emailing lists, and professional organizations to collect data on sociodemographic, clinical history, dietary and lifestyle habits, physical activity, anthropometric measurements, and stressing factors. Results: The study participants (n = 1000) had a median (interquartile range) age of 34.0 (23.0–40.0) years, with 18.7% males, 96.6% having university or postgraduate education. Among them, 69.1% reported weight gain, 21.3% no change, and 9.6% weight loss. Weight loss was predicted by following COVID-19 pandemic reports daily [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.50 (95% CI, 0.27–0.93), p = 0.03], monthly income change [AOR = 2.52 (95% CI, 1.51–4.22), p < 0.001], starting antidepressants [AOR = 3.57 (95% CI, 1.08–11.76), p = 0.03], and increase in social media use [AOR = 1.81 (95% CI, 1.05–3.13), p = 0.03]. Weight gain was predicted by starting a diet during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic [AOR = 1.57 (95% CI, 1.11–2.21), p = 0.01], physical activity during the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic [AOR = 0.49 (95% CI, 0.35–0.69), p < 0.001], and unhealthy food intake [AOR = 0.40 (95% CI, 0.28–0.57), p < 0.001] Conclusions: More intervention programs aiming to improve dietary habits and increase physical activity should be rapidly implemented to reduce the consequences of the pandemic on the Egyptians to keep healthy weight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]