Abstract: Objectives To explore the risk factors for restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Methods An epidemiological investigation was carried out on MHD patients. Basic information and clinical laboratory examinations were collected and the associations with RLS
was explored. Grouped data were compared using Student’s t or t’test or chi square test for univariate analyses. Binary logistic analysis was used for exploring multivariate factors. Results The prevalence rate of RLS was 21.5% (95% CI 15.60～27.41%). No differences existed between RLS group and none-RLS group
in personal factors (age, gender, BMI and MHD duration), personal habits (smoking and drinking), nutrition condition (serum total protein), liver injury (GOT, GPT, GGT and ALP), MHD effectiveness (SCr, BUN and UA), blood gas (CO2CP), serum electrolytes (anion gap, K, Ca, P and Fe), metabolism conditions (triglyceride and cholesterol), and endocrinal levels (PTH and EPO). However, binary logistic analysis showed that BMI (OR=0.68，95% CI 0.49～0.94) and anion gap (OR=0.48, 95% CI 0.28～0.83) were the protective factors for RLS, and smoking (OR=4031.32, 95% CI 25.99～625413.34), serum total protein (OR=1.40, 95% CI 1.02～1.92), BUN (OR=1.59, 95% CI 1.19～2.52) and serum potassium (OR=8.86, 95% CI 1.39～56.38) were the risk factors for RLS. Conclusion The occurrence of RLS may relate to the coexistence of multivariate factors including personal factors, personal habits, nutrition condition, MHD effectiveness, and serum electrolytes.

Key words: Maintenance hemodialysis, Restless legs syndrome, Risk factor, Logistic analysis