Given that development of ascites and hyponatremia are both secondary to splanchnic vasodilatation and activation of neurohumoral systems (such as renin-angiotensin, aldosterone and antidiuretic hormone pathways) [28], resulting in free water retention and perpetuation of ascites, thus we consider that controlling for the presence of ascites might eliminate the statistical significance of hyponatremia. Here, REN is linked to Ascites.