Sleep Disorders and End-Stage Renal Disease

Sleep complaints and sleep disorders are common in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Patients frequently report both insomnia and excessive sleepiness, which are significant contributors to their impaired quality of life. Restless legs syndrome, periodic limb movement disorder, and sleep apnea are highly prevalent. In addition to causing sleep disruption and sleep loss, these conditions may further increase the considerable cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in this patient population. Although conventional dialysis does not correct these sleep disorders, nocturnal hemodialysis and renal transplantation may be more effective.