REN and Hyponatremia: 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.