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

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Neurology
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a common cause of insomnia, often underdiagnosed.
• RLS symptoms are more prevalent in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared to the general population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate the risk of RLS in CKD patients through the first meta-analysis.
• To quantify the association between CKD and RLS.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL).
• Data from nine studies with 18,983 participants were analyzed using a random-effects model to calculate the odds ratio (OR).
• Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale; heterogeneity was evaluated using the I² test and Cochran's Q-statistic.

Main Results:

• The meta-analysis revealed a pooled OR of 5.64 (95% CI 2.70-11.78) for RLS among CKD patients.
• This indicates a substantial sixfold increase in the likelihood of RLS in individuals with CKD compared to the general population.
• Preliminary moderator analysis suggested potential links between higher BMI, abnormal lab results, and RLS risk, though not statistically significant in this study.

Conclusions:

• CKD patients face a significantly elevated risk of developing Restless Leg Syndrome.
• Healthcare professionals should promote healthy lifestyles and treatment adherence for CKD patients to mitigate RLS risk.
• Further research is warranted to develop targeted interventions for reducing RLS symptoms in this population.