Restless legs syndrome in chronic renal failure patients on dialysis

Abstract

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) occurs in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Objectives: To determine the prevalence and morbidity of RLS in CRF patients on dialysis. Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study included 100 dialysis patients (50 on haemodialysis [HD]; 50 on peritonealdialysis [PD]). A focused lower limb examination was done. Patients were classified with RLS when reporting uncomfortablefeelings in their legs that improved with movement and worsened when resting and at night. Results: Gender distribution was equal. The median age was 43 (19–67) years. Six patients (HD and PD n=3 each) had internationalcriteria-confirmed RLS. Twenty-four patients reported symptoms suggestive of RLS. Fourteen and 16 patients with RLSsymptoms were on HD and PD, respectively. Sleep disturbances occurred in 43.3% (n=13) of patients with RLS symptoms,compared to 20.0% (n=20) of the large cohort. Sleep disturbances, peripheral sensory loss, chronic disease-related anaemia,increased urea and decreased albumin levels were more common among patients with RLS symptoms. Conclusion: RLS symptoms occurred in 30.0% of the entire cohort, although only 6.0% met the international criteria. The typeof dialysis had no impact on the incidence of symptoms. Identifying RLS in patients with CRF on dialysis will allow for earlyintervention. Keywords: Restless legs syndrome; chronic renal failure; haemodialysis; peritoneal dialysis; symptoms.