van Tonder CB, Joubert G, Moodley A. Restless legs syndrome in chronic renal failure patients on dialysis.
Afr Health Sci 2023;
23:764-777. [PMID:
38357105 PMCID:
PMC10862641 DOI:
10.4314/ahs.v23i3.88]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
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 peritoneal dialysis [PD]). A focused lower limb examination was done. Patients were classified with RLS when reporting uncomfortable feelings 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 international criteria-confirmed RLS. Twenty-four patients reported symptoms suggestive of RLS. Fourteen and 16 patients with RLS symptoms 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 type of dialysis had no impact on the incidence of symptoms. Identifying RLS in patients with CRF on dialysis will allow for early intervention.
Collapse