Comparison of the Efficacy of Gabapentin Versus Levodopa-C for the Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome in End-Stage Renal Disease on Hemodialysis Patients.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to compare the efficacy of gabapentin and levodopa-c for the symptoms of restless leg syndrome in patients of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing maintenance hemodialysis therapy.

METHODS

In this observational, cross-sectional study, patients of ESRD on hemodialysis with restless leg syndrome were included after assessment of symptoms and quality of sleep before the treatment by completing two questionnaires: the International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale. They were randomly divided into two groups. One group was prescribed levodopa-c (110 mg) as a single dose two hours before bedtime for four weeks. The other group was given gabapentin (200 mg) after each hemodialysis session for four weeks. After the treatment, the patients completed the two questionnaires again: the IRLSSG questionnaire and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index.

RESULTS

In our study, men were 14 (53.8%), and women were 12 (46.2%). Gabapentin was given to 14 (53.8%) patients, and 12 (46.2%) patients were prescribed levodopa-c. In the levodopa group, the average baseline IRLSS was 24.333 ± 7.936), and the mean baseline PSQI score was 13.583 ± 3.396. After treatment with levodopa for four weeks, the mean IRLSS was 8.666 ± 3.312, and the mean PSQI score was 4.666 ± 2.839; a P-value of 0.00001 was noted. While in the gabapentin group, the mean baseline IRLSS was 26.071 ± 7.936, and the mean baseline PSQI score was 14.857 ± 3.254. After treatment for four weeks with gabapentin, the mean IRLSS was 5.3571 ± 1.392, and the post-treatment average PSQI was 2.992 (SD: 0.916); a P-value of 0.00001 was noted.

CONCLUSION

Both levodopa and gabapentin effectively relieve symptoms of restless leg syndrome and improve the quality of sleep and life in ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis.