[Restless legs syndrome: the most prevalent "unknown" disorder].

Sleep disorders are also considered as significant chronic disorders, as their physiological and psycho-social consequences are well documented. Restless legs syndrome has high prevalence, as it occurs in 5-10 % of the general population. Since clinical presentation is not well appreciated by many of the health care professionals, only a small proportion of the patients with restless legs syndrome is diagnosed and treated.

Prevalence and management of anaemia in renal transplant recipients: data from ten European centres.

Background: Although it is a known predictor of mortality, there is a relative lack of recent information about anaemia in kidney transplant recipients. Thus, we now report data about the prevalence and management of post-transplant anaemia (PTA) in Europe 5 years after the TRansplant European Survey on Anemia Management (TRESAM) study.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study enrolling the largest number of patients to date, data were obtained from 5,834 patients followed at 10 outpatient transplant clinics in four European countries using the American Society of Transplantation anaemia guideline.

Sleep disorders, depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life--a cross-sectional comparison between kidney transplant recipients and waitlisted patients on maintenance dialysis.

Background: Kidney transplantation is believed to improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). Recent studies suggested that the observed difference in HRQoL between kidney transplant recipients (Tx) vs patients treated with dialysis may reflect differences in patient characteristics. We tested if Tx patients have better HRQoL compared to waitlisted (WL) patients treated with dialysis after extensive adjustment for covariables.

Evaluation of the malnutrition-inflammation score in kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Chronic protein-energy wasting, termed malnutrition-inflammation complex syndrome, is frequent in patients with chronic kidney disease and is associated with anemia, morbidity, and mortality in patients on maintenance dialysis therapy. The Malnutrition-Inflammation Score (MIS) recently has been developed and validated in dialysis patients.

Study Design: Observational cross-sectional study.

Depressive symptoms and mortality in patients after kidney transplantation: a prospective prevalent cohort study.

Objective: To analyze in a prospective cohort study if depressive symptoms are an independent predictor of mortality in kidney transplant recipients.

Methods: Data from 840 transplanted patients followed at a single outpatient transplant center were analyzed. Sociodemographic parameters and clinical data were collected at enrollment (between August 2002 and February 2003).

Association of pre-transplant dialysis duration with outcome in kidney transplant recipients: a prevalent cohort study.

Introduction: Dialysis treatment prior to transplantation may contribute to premature mortality and graft loss in kidney-transplanted patients. In this prevalent cohort study (TransQol-HU Study), we analyzed the association between pre-transplant dialysis duration versus mortality and death-censored graft loss in kidney-transplanted patients.

Methods: Data from 926 kidney-transplanted patients followed at a single outpatient transplant center were analyzed.

Sleep apnea is associated with cardiovascular risk factors among kidney transplant patients.

Background And Objectives: We assessed the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and its clinical correlates in a large sample of patients who received a kidney transplant (Tx). We also compared the prevalence of the disorder between dialysis patients who were on the waiting list for a Tx (WL) and Tx patients.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: This was a cross-sectional study of 100 Tx and 50 WL patients who underwent one-night polysomnography (SLeep disorders Evaluation in Patients after kidney Transplantation [SLEPT] Study).

Symptoms of depression in kidney transplant recipients: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Depression is associated with impaired quality of life and increased morbidity and mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease. Little is known about the prevalence and correlates of depression in kidney transplant recipients. In this study, we aimed to compare depressive symptoms between kidney transplant recipients and wait-listed dialysis patients and identify the correlates of depressive symptoms in the transplant recipient population.

Impaired renal function is associated with mortality in kidney-transplanted patients.

Introduction: To date, only a few, at times conflicting, reports suggested that renal function and mortality are associated in kidney-transplanted patients. In our prevalence cohort study, we tested the hypothesis that renal function is associated with mortality in transplanted patients.

Methods: Data from 985 transplanted patients were analyzed.

Calcium, phosphate and parathyroid metabolism in kidney transplanted patients.

Introduction: Impaired kidney function is common in kidney-transplanted patients and complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD), such as mineral and bone disorders (MBD) are also prevalent in this population. Similarly to other stages of CKD, increasing evidence supports the association between MBD and cardiovascular risk after kidney transplantation as well. Still, little is known about the prevalence, clinical correlates of MBD and its management in transplanted patients.

Association between restless legs syndrome and depression in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is reportedly associated with depression. This association may be mediated by both sleep-dependent and sleep-independent mechanisms. Here we analyze the association between RLS and depressive symptoms in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Autoimmune hemolytic anemia as a risk factor of poor outcome in patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma.

Splenic marginal zone lymphoma is a rare disease, accounting for 1% of all lymphomas. We reviewed our single center experience of 13 patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL). Based on the prognostic model developed by Intergruppo Italiano Linfomi, 31% (4/13) of our patients had good, 38% (5/13) had intermediate and 31% (4/13) had a poor prognosis.

Sleep disorders and quality of life in renal transplant recipients.

Kidney transplantation provides the best outcome for patients with end-stage renal failure both in terms of morbidity and mortality and health-related quality of life (QoL). Health-related QoL has become recognized as an important outcome measure in patients with different chronic medical conditions, including chronic kidney disease (CKD). There are several factors in kidney-transplanted patients which have a negative impact on QoL in these patients.

Sociodemographic factors and patient perceptions are associated with attitudes to kidney transplantation among haemodialysis patients.

Background: Treatment decisions made by patients with chronic kidney disease are crucial in the renal transplantation process. These decisions are influenced, amongst other factors, by attitudes towards different treatment options, which are modulated by knowledge and perceptions about the disease and its treatment and many other subjective factors. Here we study the attitude of dialysis patients to renal transplantation and the association of sociodemographic characteristics, patient perceptions and experiences with this attitude.

Co-morbidity and quality of life in chronic kidney disease patients.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is frequently associated with other chronic medical conditions. Adjusting for potential confounding factors that are associated with the outcome of interest is important both in clinical research and in everyday clinical practice. Comorbidity is such an important co-variable that it is reported to predict different outcomes in patients with ESRD.

Restless legs syndrome, insomnia, and quality of life after renal transplantation.

Objective: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is associated with insomnia and impaired quality of life (QoL) in patients on maintenance dialysis; however, no information has been published on the association of RLS and QoL in kidney-transplanted patients. In a cross-sectional study, we analyzed the complex relationship between RLS, insomnia, and health-related QoL in kidney-transplanted patients.

Methods: In a cross-sectional survey at a single transplant center, 1067 patients were invited to participate.

Restless legs syndrome and mortality in kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Previous studies showed an association between the presence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and mortality in patients on dialysis therapy. An association between RLS and cardiovascular risk also was reported in the general population. However, no prospective study to date assessed the association between the presence of RLS and mortality in kidney transplant recipients.

High prevalence of patients with a high risk for obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome after kidney transplantation--association with declining renal function.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is much more prevalent in patients on dialysis than in the general population. Our aim was to assess for the first time the prevalence of patients with a high risk for OSAS and its clinical correlates in a large sample of kidney transplanted patients. We also wanted to compare the prevalence of the disorder between waitlisted dialysis patients (WL) and kidney transplanted patients (Tx).

Ropinirole treatment for restless legs syndrome.

In this paper we discuss therapy with ropinirole (known as adartrel in the United Kingdom) in patients with restless legs syndrome. Restless legs syndrome is characterized by an urge to move the legs, uncomfortable sensations in the legs and worsening of these symptoms during rest with at least temporary relief brought on by activity. Current recommendations suggest dopaminergic therapy (levodopa or dopamine receptor agonists like ropinirole) as the first-line treatment for restless legs syndrome.

Restless Legs Syndrome in patients after renal transplantation.

Background: There is an almost complete lack of information on the epidemiology of sleep disorders in kidney-transplanted patients. In this report the authors assess the prevalence and clinical correlates of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in kidney-transplanted (Tx) patients. They also analyze the impact of declining renal function on this condition in the Tx population.

Restless legs syndrome, insomnia and quality of life in patients on maintenance dialysis.

Background: In a cross-sectional study, we analysed the complex relationship between restless legs syndrome (RLS), insomnia and specific insomnia symptoms and health-related quality of life (QoL) in patients on maintenance dialysis.

Methods: Data were obtained from 333 patients on chronic maintenance dialysis. To assess the prevalence of RLS, we used the RLS Questionnaire (RLSQ).