Low prevalence of restless legs syndrome in patients with advanced chronic renal failure in the Indian population: a case controlled study

BACKGROUND: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is reported to occur in 20-70% of uremic patients. There is no study from India regarding the prevalence of RLS in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. Studies from other Asian countries have shown a much lower prevalence compared to the West. This study investigated the prevalence of RLS in patients with advanced CRF in the Indian population. Patients and METHODS: Sixty-five CRF patients and 99 controls were evaluated using a predesigned standard questionnaire. The control group consisted of prospective renal donors. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 42.4 +/- 14.9 years as compared to 43.7 +/- 11.2 years (p = NS). The distribution of cause of CRF was as follows: diabetes 38.5%, hypertension 13.9%, chronic interstitial nephritis 29.2% and chronic glomerulonephritis 18.4%. RLS was present in 1 patient (1.5%) and none of the controls. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of RLS in CRF patients in India is very low as compared to the Western population.