title: Restless Legs Syndrome: Associated Risk Factors in Hemodialysis Patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Restless legs syndrome (RLS) may be associated with increased morbidity and mortality among end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients; however, it is a disorder that is neglected in dialysis centers.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this study was to investigate the clinical factors associated with RLS among ESRD patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted on ESRD patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) in three HD centers in Ahvaz city in Southwest Iran. Blood samples were obtained prior to a dialysis session to check the routine laboratory test results and assess the adequacy of dialysis. The presence of RLS was assessed by using the international RLS study group (IRLSSG) diagnostic criteria. The IRLSSG rating scale was also used to evaluate the severity of the RLS symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 139 HD patients enrolled in this study, 60 were female (43.2%) and 79 were male (56.8%), with a mean age of 51.82 ± 13.31 years. The prevalence of RLS was 15.8% (22 patients), with 50% of them (11 patients) having severe or very severe symptoms. There was a significant relationship between RLS and longer durations of dialysis (P < 0.001). The mean level of serum ferritin was lower in patients without RLS, but it was not significant (P = 0.065). No significant differences were found according to age, gender, dialysis shifts, and hemoglobin (Hb) level among patients with and without RLS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We conclude that a significant percentage of ESRD patients undergoing maintenance HD have severe or very severe RLS symptoms. The presence of RLS is associated to longer durations of dialysis.
authors: Chronic Renal Failure Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Seyed Seifollah
authors: SS
authors: Beladi-Mousavi
authors: Chronic Renal Failure Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Mehrian
authors: M
authors: Jafarizade
authors: Chronic Renal Failure Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Shokouh
authors: S
authors: Shayanpour
authors: Chronic Renal Failure Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran; Medical Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Bahadoram
authors: Chronic Renal Failure Research Center, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran; Medical Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Seyed Mostafa
authors: SM
authors: Moosavian
authors: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Herbal Research Center, Pharmacy School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
authors: Gholamreza
authors: G
authors: Houshmand
keywords: Chronic Kidney Diseases; End-Stage Renal Disease; Hemodialysis; Restless Legs Syndrome; Risk Factors; Sleep Disorders