Evaluation Of The Diagnostic Criteria Of Restless Leg Syndrome In Hemodialysis Patients

Aim: In diagnosis of restless leg syndrome (RLS), seen frequently in hemodialysis patients, minimal criteria of International RLS Study Group have been commonly used. Our purpose is to investigate the significance of minimal criteria of International RLS Study Group for the diagnosis of RLS in hemodialysis patients in our district.
Methods: We investigated the criteria of International RLS Study Group in 68 hemodialysis patients in three dialysis units of Afyonkarahisar city center. Twenty four patients were excluded due to absence of first criteria. Forty four patients answered positively to first question were evaluated for the diagnosis of RLS according to minimal criteria including 4 questions and neurological examination.
Results: Among 44 (20 men, 24 women) hemodialysis patients mean age was 51+/-16.1 years and dialysis period was 25 (3-190) months. According to minimal criteria for diagnosis of RLS number of patients considered as positively responded to all four questions was 15 (%34.1); however number of real patients determined on neurological examination was 31 (%70.5). In the same group difference between RLS prevalence determined according to these two criteria was statistically significant (P = 0.001).
Conclusion: All patients answered positively to at least first question for diagnosis of RLS, which affects quality of life, morbidity and mortality in HD patients through sleep disorders, should be evaluated in detail.