Restless legs syndrome in end-stage renal disease patients on maintenance hemodialysis: Quality of life and sleep analysis

Abstract

Vitamin D insufficiency, calcium/phosphate imbalance, iron deficiency, anemia, pregnancy, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are all thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of restless leg syndrome (RLS). The prevalence of RLS ranging from 6.6% to 83% has been reported in another study. It is one of the illnesses that affect the quality of life of ESRD patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Unfortunately, RLS has not received enough recognition and attention, and the underdiagnosed and undertreated rate can reach more than 10%. This study aimed to look at the sleep quality and quality of life of people with RLS who were on maintenance hemodialysis. The present study included 286 individuals on chronic dialysis. The International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Diagnostic Criteria and the International RLS Rating Scale were used as recommendations to diagnose and assess the severity of RLS. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) were employed to evaluate sleep quality and quality of life. All patients’ biochemical and demographic data were reviewed, and statistical analyses were carried out. In conclusion, there were no statistically significant variations in demographic information or clinical and laboratory characteristics between RLS patients and those who did not have RLS. Specifically, among dialysis patients, those with RLS had higher PSQI and SF-36 ratings.