Restless leg syndrome in hemodialysis patients: A disorder that should be noticed

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a distressing sleep disorder that is commonly experienced by patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of RLS and its related factors among hemodialysis patients. This was an analytical cross-sectional study that was performed on hemodialysis patients of the Bu"Ali Hospital of Qazvin during 2009 and 2010. One hundred and twelve patients were selected by the census sampling method as the study sample. Data collection was performed using the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Berlin, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group criteria (IRRLS) questionnaires. Student's ttest and chi-square test were applied to analyze the collected data. RLS complaints were very common among patients on long-term dialysis therapy and were reported in about 42.9% of the patients. Patients with RLS had higher daytime sleepiness, insomnia complaints and poorer sleep quality. Percentage of patients in the high-risk group was higher in the RLS group. RLS symptoms appear to be correlated with age (P = 0.012) and use of sedative drugs (P = 0.035). RLS is common in dialysis patients and is associated with a higher prevalence of other sleep disturbances. Therefore, the effective assessment and management of this sleep disturbance has the potential to significantly enhance patient outcomes.