Related factors and quality of life of patients with restless legs syndrome in single central maintenance hemodialysis

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, and evaluate the effect of RLS on quality of life and anxiety and depression in dialysis patients.Methods A total of 115 patients with MHD were enrolled in this study. General data, clinical data and related laboratory data were collected. Patients were divided into RLS positive group and RLS negative group according to RLS diagnostic criteria, and the risk factors of RLS was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The questionnaire (SF-36), Self-Rating Rating Scale (SAS) and Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) were used to assess the effect of RLS on quality of life and psychological status of hemodialysis patients.Results The prevalence of RLS in 115 patients with MHD was 20.87%. The univariate analysis revealed that patients with RLS had longer duration of dialysis therapy (P<0.05), higher levels of transferrin (P<0.05), β2 microglobulin (P<0.01) and homocysteine (P<0.01), and lower levels of urine volume than those without RLS. The history of female drinking was related to RLS (P<0.05). No significant difference was found in gender, age, body mass index, primary disease, history of hypertension, history of diabetes, hemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, PTH, electrolyte between patients with and without RLS. Logistic regression analysis showed that high β2 microglobulin (OR 1.48 95% CI 1.054-2.077, high vitamin B₁₂ (OR 1.006 95% CI 1.001-1.012), and homocysteine (OR 1.595 95% CI 1.029-2.474) were risk factors for RLS. The SAS, SDS and mental health scores in patients with RLS were significantly higher than in those without RLS (P<0.05).Conclusions The prevalence of RLS in MHD patients was higher, and elevated β2-microglobulin, vitamin B12 and homocysteine were the main risk factors for RLS. RLS significantly increased SAS, SDS scores and reduced mental health scores in hemodialysis patients, which may be related to the severity of RLS.