Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Difference in functional connectivity between end-stage renal disease patients with and without restless legs syndrome: A prospective study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in functional connectivity between patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with and without restless legs syndrome (RLS). In addition, the study aimed to identify any potential associations between RLS severity and functional connectivity.

METHODS

We enrolled patients with ESRD who had been undergoing hemodialysis. Patients with and without RLS were separated into two groups. Using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and a graph theory approach, we determined the functional connectivity of patients with ESRD. The data were collected during a 300-s resting state evaluation performed in the dialysis room prior to dialysis.

RESULTS

Eighteen of 48 patients with ESRD were diagnosed with RLS, whereas 30 patients did not exhibit RLS symptoms. Notably, functional connectivity metrics differed significantly between patients with and without RLS. Specifically, patients with ESRD and RLS displayed higher values for mean clustering coefficient (0.474 vs. 0.352, p = 0.001), global efficiency (0.520 vs. 0.414, p = 0.001), strength (6.538 vs. 4.783, p = 0.001), and transitivity (0.714 vs. 0.521, p = 0.001), while values for diameter (5.451 vs. 7.338, p = 0.002), eccentricity (4.598 vs. 5.985, p = 0.004), and characteristic path length (2.520 vs. 3.271, p = 0.002) were lower in patients with ESRD and RLS compared to those without RLS. In addition, there were correlations between the RLS severity score and the assortative coefficient (r = 0.479, p = 0.044), the small-worldness index (r = -0.475, p = 0.046), and transitivity (r = 0.500, p = 0.034).

CONCLUSIONS

We demonstrated differences in functional connectivity between patients with ESRD with and without RLS, which may shed light on the pathophysiology of RLS. Notably, a number of functional connectivity metrics demonstrated strong associations with RLS severity. Our study also confirmed the applicability of fNIRS as a tool for investigating functional connectivity in patients with RLS.

Association between Chronic kidney disease and restless leg syndrome (RLS): a systematic review and meta-analysis

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is characterized by unpleasant nocturnal sensations in the lower limbs, and it has emerged as the fourth leading cause of insomnia and is often an underdiagnosed medical condition among sleep disorders. The symptoms of RLS are more common in chronic kidney disease patients than in the general population. Therefore, we performed the first meta-analysis to estimate the risk of RLS among chronic kidney disease patients. We conducted a comprehensive search in Embase, Ovid-MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL databases. Data were analyzed with the random-effects model using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software to find the odds ratio (OR). The heterogeneity was checked with the I2 test and Cochran's Q-statistic, and we performed the moderator analysis to find potential sources of heterogeneity. The study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Of 1175 studies, we found nine studies, with a total of 18,983 participants. The pooled OR of RLS among chronic kidney disease was 5.64 (95%CI 2.70-11.78). Regarding moderator analysis results, it was observed that higher body mass index and abnormal laboratory results would increase the risk of RLS; however, the statistical test was not significant in the current study. The findings reveal a substantial sixfold increase in the likelihood of RLS when compared to the general population. Therefore, health professionals should encourage patients to adhere to the treatment and practice a healthy lifestyle to manage their condition and reduce the risk of RLS. Moreover, future research can develop an intervention to reduce RLS symptoms.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s41105-024-00513-4.

Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in maintenance hemodialysis patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Restless legs syndrome is associated with quality of life and risk of death in maintenance hemodialysis patients. Although relevant meta-analyses have been conducted, epidemiological studies of restless legs syndrome have increased in recent years.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to systematically assess the prevalence of restless legs syndrome in maintenance hemodialysis patients and to evaluate the effect of different geographic regions, genders, study designs, and years of publication on the prevalence of restless legs syndrome.

METHODS

PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, Wanfang Database, Weipu, and Chinese Biomedical Database were searched before March 16, 2023 for the published literature. Two investigators independently performed literature screening, data extraction for eligible studies, and risk of bias assessment. A random-effects model using the stata 15.0 software was used to assess the pooled prevalence of restless legs syndrome.

RESULTS

Fifty-seven articles were included in this meta-analysis, and the pooled prevalence of restless legs syndrome in 12,573 maintenance hemodialysis patients was 24.0 % (95 % CI: 21.0%-26.0 %). Maintenance hemodialysis patients from the Americas region and females had severe symptoms of restless legs syndrome, and the prevalence of restless legs syndrome increased from year to year. The prevalence of restless legs syndrome was higher in maintenance hemodialysis patients in cross-sectional studies and cohort studies compared to case-control studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Maintenance hemodialysis patients have a significantly higher prevalence of restless legs syndrome. These findings may provide some reference value for hospital nursing staff to focus on the management and treatment of restless legs syndrome in maintenance hemodialysis patients.

Restless Legs Syndrome in Chronic Kidney Disease- a Systematic Review

Objectives

The objective of this review is to provide updated information on the epidemiology, correlating factors and treatment of chronic kidney disease associated restless legs syndrome (CKD-A-RLS) in both adult and pediatric population.

Materials and Methods

We have reviewed the Medline search and Google Scholar search up to May 2022, using key words restless legs syndrome, chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis and kidney transplant. The reviewed articles were studied for epidemiology, correlating factors, as well as pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment options.

Results

Our search revealed 175 articles, 111 were clinical trials or cross- sectional studies and 64 were review articles. All 111 articles were retrieved and studied in detail. Of these, 105 focused on adults and 6 on children. A majority of studies on dialysis patients reported a prevalence between 15-30%, which is notably higher than prevalence of RLS in general population (5-10%). The correlation between presence of CKD-A-RLS with age, gender, abnormalities of hemogram, iron, ferritin, serum lipids, electrolytes and parathyroid hormones were also reviewed. The results were inconsistent and controversial. Limited studies have reported on the treatment of CKD-A-RLS. Non-pharmacological treatment focused on the effect(s) of exercise, acupuncture, massage with different oils and infra-red light whereas, pharmacologic treatment options include the effects of dopaminergic drugs, Alpha2-Delta ligands (gabapentin and pregabalin), vitamins E and C, and intravenous iron infusion.

Conclusion

This updated review showed that RLS is two to three times more common in patients with CKD compared to the general population. More patients with CKD-A-RLS demonstrated increased mortality, increased incidence of cardiovascular accident, depression, insomnia and impaired quality of life than those with CKD without RLS. Dopaminergic drugs such as levodopa, ropinirole, pramipexole and rotigotine as well as calcium channel blockers (gabapentin and pregabalin) are helpful for treatment of RLS. High quality studies with these agents are currently underway and hopefully confirm the efficacy and practicality of using these drugs in CKD-A-RLS. Some studies have shown that aerobic exercise and massage with lavender oil can improve symptoms of CKD-A- RLS suggesting that these measures can be useful as adjunct therapy.

Restless leg syndrome in patients with chronic kidney disease: a hospital-based study from Upper Egypt

OBJECTIVES

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common cause of restless leg syndrome (RLS). RLS is under-recognized, misdiagnosed and undertreated disorder in our locality. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of RLS due to CKD and its predictors.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 520 patients [male = 200; female = 320; age: 48.45 ± 3.63yrs; uremia duration: 6.44 ± 1.65yrs; CKD5D = 400; CKD3D = 120). RLS diagnosis was done by clinical interviewing according to International RLS Study Group criteria. All underwent detailed biochemical testing and iron and ferritin levels' measurements. Insomnia, depression and anxiety severities were assessed using insomnia sleep index (ISI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults (STAI-AD) scales.

RESULTS

RLS was found in 22.31% [ESKD = 26%, CKD3D = 10%]. Insomnia, depression and anxiety were found in 76.15%, 91.15% and 44.23%, respectively. Insomnia was correlated with depression (r = 0.488, p = 0.001) and anxiety (r = 0.360, p = 0.006) but not RLS. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that ESKD (OR = 3.8, 95%CI = 2.5-8.5, p = 0.001), inadequate dialysis (OR = 4.6, 95%CI = 3.5-8.6, p = 0.001), hyperparathyroidism (OR = 5.1, 95%CI 3.2-13.7, p = 0.0001) and peripheral neuropathy (OR = 5.6, 95%CI = 3.8-12.8, p = 0.0001) were independently associated with RLS.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of RLS with CKD is 22.31%. It is 2.6 times more frequent and severe with ESKD compared to CKD3D. It seems that RLS may occur early with CKD and becomes worse with progressive kidney impairment. Also, insomnia, depression and anxiety are common with CKD, however, their severities were not correlated with RLS. Predictors for RLS were ESKD, inadequacy of dialysis, hyperparathyroidism and peripheral neuropathy.

Prevalence of sleep disorders in children with chronic kidney disease: a meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The reported prevalence of sleep disorders in children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) varies greatly. A quantitative meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of sleep disorders among pediatric CKD patients may provide further information.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of sleep disorders in children with CKD. The study protocol was registered on PROSPERO (registration number CRD42021268378).

DATA SOURCES

Two authors independently searched the PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane review databases up to June 2021.

STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Eligible studies include data of prevalence of sleep disorders in children with CKD.

STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS

The prevalence of restless legs syndrome, sleep-disordered breathing, pediatric obstructive sleep apnea (i.e., apnea-hypopnea index > 1 event/h in polysomnography), excessive daytime sleepiness, and insomnia/insufficient sleep was estimated using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were conducted to compare the prevalence of sleep disorders between children on dialysis and not on dialysis. This meta-analysis included 12 studies with 595 children (mean age: 12.9 years; gender ratio: 55.6% boys; mean sample size: 49.6 patients).

RESULTS

The prevalence of restless legs syndrome in children with CKD was 21% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14-30%). The prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing, pediatric obstructive sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepiness, and insomnia/insufficient sleep was 22% (95% CI, 12-36%), 34% (95% CI, 19-53%), 27% (95% CI, 17-41%), and 14% (95% CI, 7-27%), respectively. Subgroup analysis revealed the pooled prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness was significantly higher in children on dialysis than in children not on dialysis (43.3% vs. 11.2%; P = 0.018). Children on dialysis also had a high prevalence of other sleeping disorders, although the differences did not reach statistical significance. Children with CKD exhibited a 3.9-fold (95% CI, 1.37 to 10.93) increased risk of restless legs syndrome and a 9.6-fold (95% CI, 3.57 to 25.76) increased risk of excessive daytime sleepiness compared with controls.

LIMITATIONS

The selected papers are of small sample size, lack of a control group, and exhibit substantial heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep disorders are common in children with CKD. Our results indicate that while the prevalence rates of various sleep disorders were higher in children on dialysis than in children not on dialysis, the prevalence of excessive daytime sleepiness was statistically significant in children on dialysis. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Short course of low-dose pregabalin is effective for the treatment of restless leg syndrome in patients with cirrhosis: A pilot study

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is common in patients with cirrhosis, but its treatment in such patients remains unclear. This pilot study assessed the clinical effectiveness of intravenous iron and a 6-week course of low-dose (75 mg/day) pregabalin for the treatment of RLS in patients with cirrhosis.

METHODS

It was a prospective, interventional study that included adult patients with cirrhosis and RLS. The participants underwent serum ferritin measurement. Patients with low serum ferritin (< 75 μg/dL) were treated with intravenous iron. Those with normal ferritin levels and those with low levels whose RLS symptoms failed to respond to iron replacement were treated with oral pregabalin, initially 75 mg/day for 6 weeks, followed by 150 mg/day for 6 weeks if there was no response. Recurrence of symptoms was assessed at 6-12 weeks after stopping pregabalin.

RESULTS

Of the 50 patients (male patients 52%; median age 48 [interquartile range: 21-65] years; median Child-Pugh-Turcotte score 8 [5-13] and median Model for End-Stage Liver disease score 17 [12-20]) studied, 29 (58%) had low ferritin; of them, 14 (48%) responded to intravenous iron alone. Eleven of 15 (38%) patients with low ferritin and nonresponse to iron, and 16 of 21 (76%) with normal ferritin levels had a response with low-dose pregabalin. Of the nine nonresponders who received 150 mg/day of pregabalin, four had to discontinue it because of adverse effects.

CONCLUSION

A short course of low-dose (75 mg/day) pregabalin was effective (82%) in alleviating RLS in patients with cirrhosis. (CTRI/2019/02/017642).

The prevalence and potential aetiological factors associated with restless legs syndrome in patients with chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

There is limited understanding of aetiological factors of and treatment options for restless leg syndrome (RLS) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of RLS in CKD patients and identify factors that may contribute to RLS.

METHODS

A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study of patients with CKD stage 4 (CKD 4), pre-dialysis stage 5 (CKD-5ND) and haemodialysis-dependent stage 5 (CKD-5D) was conducted. Eligible patients were enrolled from the local dialysis units and renal clinics. The International RLS Study Group rating scale was used to establish the diagnosis of RLS and quantify its severity.

RESULTS

212 patients with CKD 4 (n = 92), CKD-5ND (n = 14) and CKD-5D (n = 106) were included. The overall prevalence of RLS was 32.1%. Women had a significantly higher odds of having RLS despite adjustment for age, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and whether patients were on dialysis (odds ratio 2.8 [95% confidence intervals 1.5-5.2]). In pre-dialysis groups, patients with RLS had significantly higher serum ferritin (323.9 [SD 338.1] vs 177.5 [SD 178.5] µg/L, p = 0.020) compared to non-RLS patients. In dialysis patients (CKD-5D), those with RLS had significantly higher total white cell (8.0 [SD 3.5] vs 6.8 [SD 1.9] × 10⁹/L, p = 0.026) and neutrophil (6.4 [SD 3.9] vs 4.6 [SD1.7] × 10⁹/L, p = 0.002) counts compared to patients without RLS.

CONCLUSION

RLS remains a significant problem in patients with CKD and may be related to underlying inflammation. Targeting this pathway may be useful. Prevalence of RLS, diagnosed using validated measures, is higher than previous reports.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

N/A (the current study is not a trial).

Prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome and its Symptoms among Patients with Spinal Disorders

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder that causes uncomfortable sensations in the legs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the symptoms of RLS in patients with spinal disorders and the impact of RLS on the clinical outcomes of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). The records of 278 patients (age range 65–92 years) with spinal disorders who visited our outpatient clinic were reviewed. We used a survey to identify subjects with RLS based on the International RLS Study Group diagnostic criteria. We further recorded patient characteristics, surgical outcomes, sleeping time, mental health condition, and the occurrence of leg cramps. Thirty-two patients (11.5%) met the criteria for RLS. The prevalence of anxiety (46.9% vs. 26.6%, p = 0.023) and leg cramps (90.6% vs. 73.2%, p = 0.030) was higher in patients with RLS than in those without. RLS was present in 12.3% of LSS patients. The visual analog scale score for lower back pain before surgery and at the final follow-up was significantly higher in LSS patients with RLS than in those without. However, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, JOA score improvement ratio, and VAS score for leg numbness were not significantly different between the groups.

Classification and prognostic factors of residual symptoms after minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery using a cluster analysis: a 5-year follow-up cohort study

PURPOSE

Residual symptoms indicating incomplete remission of lower leg numbness or low back pain may occur after spine surgery. The purpose was to elucidate the pattern of residual symptoms 5 years after minimally invasive lumbar decompression surgery using a cluster analysis.

METHODS

The study comprised 193 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) (108 men, 85 women) ranging in age from 40 to 86 years (mean, 67.9 years). Each patient underwent 5-year follow-up. The Japanese Orthopedic Association score and visual analog scale scores for low back pain, leg pain, and leg numbness at 5 years were entered into the cluster analysis to characterize postoperative residual symptoms. Other clinical data were analyzed to detect the factors significantly related to each cluster.

RESULTS

The analysis yielded four clusters representing different patterns of residual symptoms. Patients in cluster 1 (57.0%) were substantially improved and had few residual symptoms of LSS. Patients in cluster 2 (11.4%) were poorly improved and had major residual symptoms. Patients in cluster 3 (17.6%) were greatly improved but had mild residual low back pain. Patients in cluster 4 (14.0%) were improved but had severe residual leg numbness. Prognostic factors of cluster 2 were a short maximum walking distance, motor weakness, resting lower leg numbness, cofounding scoliosis, and high sagittal vertical axis.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to identify specific patterns of residual symptoms of LSS after decompression surgery. Our results will contribute to acquisition of preoperative informed consent and identification of patients with the best chance of postoperative improvement.

Restless Leg Syndrome and Objectively-Measured Atherosclerosis in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

BACKGROUND

Previous studies suggest associations between restless leg syndrome (RLS) and atherosclerosis, but these have primarily been based upon subjective atherosclerotic measures.

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated associations between RLS and an objective indicator of atherosclerosis, namely carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT).

METHODS

In this cross-sectional study among 30,097 Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) participants, we used a four-item questionnaire to screen for probable-RLS. cIMT was measured at the bifurcation of the common carotid artery. Associations were tested with linear regression adjusting for age, sex, ferritin, pulmonary disease, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, anxiety, depression, and other sleep diagnoses.

RESULTS

Among 26,304 included participants, 2047 (7.8%) had probable-RLS. Mean cIMT was higher (0.755 ± 0.17 vs 0.736 ± 0.17, P < 0.001) in those with RLS, even after excluding those without prior atherosclerotic diseases (0.740 ± 0.17 vs 0.723 ± 0.16, P = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

RLS is associated with objective measures of atherosclerosis. © 2020 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Relation of serum hepcidin levels and restless legs syndrome in chronic hemodialysis patients

BACKGROUND

Iron deficiency anemia, pregnancy, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are common causes of secondary restless legs syndrome (RLS). Serum ferritin is considered the most specific test associated with the total amount of body iron stores. However, due to the increase of serum ferritin secondary to inflammation in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients, serum ferritin test results do not fully reflect decreased iron stores in these patients. The present study evaluates the serum hepcidin levels, as the main regulator of iron metabolism, and its relationship with RLS in chronic HD patients.

METHODS

The present cross-sectional study involved 72 patients (36 with and 36 without RLS) who received chronic HD treatment between April 2014 and April 2015. Demographic and biochemical data were evaluated in all patients, and statistical analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The mean age and mean dialysis vintage of all patients (56% women) included in the study were 65.3 ± 11.6 years and 41.5 ± 36.5 months, respectively. Serum hepcidin, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), and ferritin levels were significantly higher in patients with RLS (p = 0.001, p = 0.032, p = 0.042, respectively). In addition, a positive correlation was found between International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group severity scale score and serum hepcidin levels, HbA1C, and ferritin (r = 0.387, p = 0.001; r = 0.426, p = 0.034; r = 0.240, p = 0.046, respectively). A multivariate linear regression analysis revealed hepcidin and HbA1C to be independently associated with the presence of RLS.

CONCLUSION

A significant relationship was detected between RLS and increased serum hepcidin levels in chronic HD patients, and uncontrolled diabetes was noted to contribute to this association.

Effects of sleep apnea and kidney dysfunction on objective sleep quality in nondialyzed patients with chronic kidney disease: an ESADA study

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often report poor sleep quality, but they commonly exhibit OSA. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of OSA severity and of estimated glomerular filtration rate impairment on objective sleep quality in nondialyzed patients with CKD, defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m².

METHODS

Polysomnographic sleep characteristics were compared between patients with (n = 430) and without CKD (n = 6,639) in the European Sleep Apnea Database cohort. Comparisons were repeated in 375 patients with CKD and 375 control patients without CKD matched for sleep center, age, sex, and AHI, and in 310 matched CKD and non-CKD patients without psychiatric disturbances.

RESULTS

Among all patients with and without CKD, total sleep time was similar but sleep stage N1 (median 8.7% [IQR 4.8-18.0] vs 6.7% [3.6-12.7], respectively) and sleep stage R (12.6% [6.8-17.7] vs 14.2% [8.8-19.8], respectively) significantly differed (P < .0001). No difference in sleep characteristics was observed between matched patients either with or without psychiatric disturbances. After subdividing the matched patients according to AHI tertile (<25, ≥25 to <49, and ≥49 events/h) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (≥60, 45 to <60, <45 mL/min/1.73m²), we found a significant effect of AHI on sleep stages N2, N3, and R (P < .001), but there was no effect of CKD.

CONCLUSIONS

In nondialyzed patients with CKD, objective sleep quality is influenced similarly by AHI as in patients without CKD but is not affected by CKD severity. Previously reported poor sleep quality in CKD may partly result from the high prevalence of OSA in CKD.

Prevalence of coronary artery calcification and its association with mortality, cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

To date, the prevalence and prognostic role of coronary artery calcification (CAC) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have been investigated in several studies, but have yielded conflicting results. The aim of this meta-analysis is to derive a more precise estimation of CAC prevalence in CKD patients and its association with cardiovascular events and mortality.

METHODS

The relevant literature was identified and evaluated from inception until July 2018 through multiple search strategies on PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Cross-sectional or cohort (baseline data) studies reporting CAC prevalence were included. Data extracted from eligible studies were used to calculate effect estimates (ESs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). We searched databases for observational studies that explored baseline CAC and subsequent cardiovascular or all-cause mortality risk in CKD patients.

RESULTS

The meta-analysis included 47 studies; 38 of these were included in the final analysis of CAC prevalence. The pooled prevalence of CAC in random effect model was 60% (95%CI 53-68%). CAC was positively associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 3.44; 95%CI 2.40-4.94), cardiovascular mortality (HR 3.87; 95%CI 2.06-7.26), and cardiovascular events (HR 2.09; 95%CI 1.19-3.67), when comparing individuals in the top CAC score group to those in the bottom CAC score group.

CONCLUSIONS

The pooled prevalence of CAC is highly prevalent. CAC is independently associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risk as well as cardiovascular events among CKD patients. In view of the high heterogeneity, larger clinical trials are still needed.

Therapeutic Utility of Opioids for Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor neurologic disorder characterized by an unpleasant urge to move the legs, often accompanied by leg dysesthesias. Symptoms predominate in the evening or at night and often cause significant distress and disruption of sleep. Several non-opioid classes of drugs provide initial relief from the symptoms of RLS. Among these, however, the efficacy of dopamine agonists can wane over time or even paradoxically 'augment' the severity of symptoms during the course of long-term treatment. Opioids can alleviate RLS symptoms, even in patients who have become refractory to, or do not tolerate, other drugs. In a carefully selected group of patients with severe RLS that has not been effectively managed with other therapies, opioids may be an appropriate treatment.

Restless legs syndrome: a rarity in the Nigerian pregnant population?

OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of RLS in pregnancy is higher when compared with the general population however it remains unknown among indigenous black Africans. Available data indicate that RLS is uncommon in sub-Saharan Africa. We embarked on this study to determine the prevalence and characteristics of RLS in an antenatal clinic sample of Nigerian pregnant women compared with a primary care sample of non-pregnant women.

METHODS

A total of 310 pregnant women and non-pregnant women filled out a questionnaire which incorporated the 2014 minimal criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Demographic and clinical data, including sleep duration and samples for blood hemoglobin concentration and urinalysis were obtained.

RESULTS

The mean ages of the pregnant and non-pregnant women were 24.9 ± 5.6 years and 23.6 + 5.4 years, respectively (p = 0.003). There was no case of RLS found among pregnant women while five (1.6%) of the non-pregnant women fulfilled the criteria for RLS. Overall, the prevalence report of RLS symptoms was associated with lower mean habitual nocturnal sleep duration (p < 0.05) coffee (p = 0.013) and kola nut (0.023) consumption, report of leg cramps (p < 0.001) and proteinuria (p = 0.047), Report of leg cramps and proteinuria were independently associated with RLS.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of restless legs syndrome is low among women of child-bearing age in the Nigerian population and may be lower in pregnancy. Report of leg cramps and proteinuria are independently associated with RLS.