title: Restless legs syndrome in children with chronic kidney disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is considerably more common among adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) than in the general population and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. There is limited information on RLS in children with CKD. Failure to account for conditions that might mimic RLS can lead to overdiagnosis of this syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective, cross-sectional study, RLS prevalence was compared between pediatric CKD patients and healthy children. RLS was assessed via a questionnaire that included exclusion of mimics. Sleep characteristics and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were also assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Restless legs syndrome was more prevalent in CKD patients (n = 124) than in 85 normal children (15.3 vs. 5.9 %; p = 0.04). There was no significant association between RLS and CKD stage, CKD etiology, CKD duration, and dialysis or transplant status. Children with RLS were more likely to rate their sleep quality as fairly bad or very bad (41.2 vs. 8.8 %; p = 0.003) and report using sleep medications (42.1 vs. 14.7 %; p = 0.01). RLS was associated with lower HRQoL by parent report (p = 0.03). Only five of the 19 patients (26.3 %) with CKD and RLS had discussed RLS symptoms with a healthcare provider, and only one of these patients had been diagnosed with RLS prior to this study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of RLS is increased in children with CKD and appears to be underdiagnosed. Systematic screening for RLS and sleep problems would therefore appear to be warranted in children with CKD.
authors: Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
authors: Sandeep K
authors: SK
authors: Riar
authors: Roberta M
authors: RM
authors: Leu
authors: Taieshia C
authors: TC
authors: Turner-Green
authors: David B
authors: DB
authors: Rye
authors: Salathiel R
authors: SR
authors: Kendrick-Allwood
authors: Courtney
authors: C
authors: McCracken
authors: Donald L
authors: DL
authors: Bliwise
authors: Larry A
authors: LA
authors: Greenbaum
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D051436:Renal Insufficiency, Chronic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012890:Sleep; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires