Restless legs syndrome: a clinical study in Chilean general population andin uremic patients

Background: The restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a movement disorder charact erized by an imperative urge to move the legs, associated with paraesthesia s, motor restlessness and worsening of symptoms at night with at least part ial relief by activity. Its prevalence ranges between 2-15% of general adul t population and 20-30% of uremic patients. Aim: To evaluate the frequency and the clinical features of RLS in a sample of general adult population an d in uremic patients, in Chile, correlating it with biochemical parameters. Method: 100 relatives of outpatients and 166 uremic patients undergoing ch ronic haemodialysis were interviewed assessing the presence and severity of RLS according to current diagnostic criteria. Biochemical parameters asses sed were hematocrit, serum ferritin, phosphate, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) levels. Results: 13% of the general population sample was affected, 15% of them were severe. Forty three cases were found among uremic patients (25.9%) (p<0.001 is general population), 60% of them were severe and women were affected with higher frequency (p<0.05) and severity (p<0.01). Four p atients presented RLS even during hemodialysis. No correlation was found wi th biochemical parameters. Most RLS cases had not been diagnosed previously . Conclusions: In our population RLS is common and undetected. It is especi ally prevalent and severe in uremic patients: we found no evidence that ana emia, iron deficiency or iPTH level play a major pathogenic role. Our findi ngs emphasize the need of greater medical awareness of RLS because availabl e therapy may improve the quality of life.