Rotigotine in Hemodialysis-Associated Restless Legs Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background Restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been associated with insomnia, decreased quality of life, and increased morbidity and mortality in end-stage renal disease. This randomized controlled trial investigated effects of rotigotine in patients with RLS and end-stage renal disease. Study Design Double-blind placebo-controlled study. Setting & Participants Adults with moderate to severe RLS (International RLS Study Group Rating Scale [IRLS] ≥ 15) and Periodic Limb Movement Index (PLMI) ≥ 15 who were receiving thrice-weekly hemodialysis enrolled from sites in the United States and Europe. Intervention Following randomization and titration (≤21 + 3 days) to optimal-dose rotigotine (1-3 mg/24 h) or placebo, patients entered a 2-week maintenance period. Polysomnography was performed at baseline and the end of maintenance. Outcomes & Measurements Primary efficacy outcome: reduction in PLMI, assessed by ratio of PLMI at end of maintenance to baseline. Secondary/other outcomes (P values exploratory) included mean changes from baseline in PLMI, IRLS, and Clinical Global Impression item 1 (CGI-1 [severity of illness]) score. Results 30 patients were randomly assigned (rotigotine, 20; placebo, 10); 25 (15; 10) completed the study with evaluable data. Mean (SD) PLMI ratio (end of maintenance to baseline) was 0.7 ± 0.4 for rotigotine and 1.3 ± 0.7 for placebo (analysis of covariance treatment ratio, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.88; P = 0.02). Numerical improvements were observed with rotigotine versus placebo in IRLS and CGI-1 (least squares mean treatment differences of −6.08 [95% CI, −12.18 to 0.02; P = 0.05] and −0.81 [95% CI, −1.94 to 0.33; P = 0.2]). 10 of 15 rotigotine and 2 of 10 placebo patients were CGI-1 responders (≥50% improvement). Hemodialysis did not affect unconjugated rotigotine concentrations. The most common adverse events (≥2 patients) were nausea (rotigotine, 4 [20%]; placebo, 0); vomiting (3 [15%]; 0); diarrhea (1 [5%]; 2 [20%]); headache (2 [10%]; 0); dyspnea (2 [10%]; 0); and hypertension (2 [10%]; 0). Limitations Small sample size and short duration. Conclusions Rotigotine improved periodic limb movements and RLS symptoms in the short term among ESRD patients requiring hemodialysis in a small-scale study. No dose adjustments are necessary for hemodialysis patients.