Restless legs syndrome in hemodialysis patients: Prevalence and association to daytime functioning

The prevalence of restless legs syndrome and its impact on daytime function were explored in a hemodialysis population, particularly addressing the response consistency of restless legs syndrome symptoms. A two-point internet-based questionnaire survey with a one week interval was administered to 645 subjects of a hemodialysis population. Five hundred and four candidates (332 men and 172 women with mean [SD] age of 59.1 [12.8] years) with hemodialysis who completed the two surveys were selected for analysis. Questionnaire items included personal data, four criteria items for diagnosis of restless legs syndrome, Athens Insomnia Scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Short Form 8-items for health survey, and items of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Severity Scale. Factors associated with deteriorated mental component summary and physical component summary on Short Form 8-items for health survey and depression were assessed. Prevalence of restless legs syndrome was the rate of those meeting the four diagnostic criteria items for this disorder in both surveys: 12.9%. Restless legs syndrome category defined by response consistency to the restless legs syndrome criteria items was significantly associated with the physical component summary score deterioration. This two-point survey indicated reliable prevalence of restless legs syndrome in a hemodialysis population, and revealed that stability of restless legs syndrome symptoms might contribute to the presence of certain daytime dysfunctions in this population.