To detect the prevalence of restless leg syndrome and its severity among Jordanian end-stage renal disease patients on dialysis.

Restless leg syndrome (RLS), a chronic condition marked by an urge to move the legs, affects 5-15% of the population. It’s linked to dopamine dysfunction and disproportionately impacts chronic kidney disease patients due to iron deficiency, anemia, and dialysis-related issues, understanding the relationship is vital for effective management

This cross-sectional study studied restless leg syndrome (RLS) prevalence in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients using a structured questionnaire covering diagnostic criteria, severity ratings, and dialysis-related data. Patients were recruited from more than 12 dialysis centers in different cities in Jordan.

 Among 218 end stage renal disease patients (57.3% male, mean age 55.4 ± 12.4 years), the prevalence of restless leg syndrome was 27.1%. Hypertension was the most common cause of ESRD (34.4%), and the majority had been on dialysis for 1-5 years (53.7%). No significant associations were found between RLS diagnosis and gender (p=0.573), BMI (p=0.970), or dialysis duration (p=0.899). Logistic regression revealed no significant predictors of restless leg syndrome, with hemoglobin (OR 1.18, p=0.197) and dialysis duration (OR 0.46, p=0.175) showing no notable effects. The model’s overall fit was modest (McFadden R² = 0.102).

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) prevalence in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients was 27.1%, with no significant links to BMI, hemoglobin, or dialysis duration. These findings suggest that traditional clinical markers may not be a good fit for restless leg syndrome (RLS) in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients, emphasizing the need for more research into suspected causal factors. Routine screening for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients may improve quality of life by ensuring timely treatment of restless leg syndrome (RLS).