The role of MEIS1, BTBD9 and MAP2K5/LBXCOR1 in uraemic RLS – a case-control study in patients with end stage renal disease on maintenance hemodialysis

Introduction: An association between idiopathic Restless legs syndrome (iRLS) and intronic and intergenic variants in MEIS1 (Chromosome 2), BTBD9 (Chromosome 9) and MAP2K5/LBXCOR1 (Chromosome 15) was recently shown. RLS is a common complaint of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), but the etiology of uraemic RLS (uRLS) is still unknown. Our aim was to investigate whether these genetic variants play also a role in this entity. Methods: 465 patients regularly undergoing hemodialysis treatment were investigated from ten dialysis centers. RLS was diagnosed using the criteria of the International Restless Le…