Abstract
Nocturnal Legs Cramps are a frequent disorder, which have a negative impact on quality of life, particularly among patients over 60 years old. Lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption have been shown to be associated with Nocturnal Leg Cramps. This study aimed to explore the association between nocturnal leg cramps and a sedentary lifestyle among elderly patients. A case-control study was conducted with a Bayesian approach for sensitivity analysis. Patients over 60 years old consulting their family doctor were recruited in the Alsace region, France. Cases were matched with controls free from cramps for age, sex, medical history and medications known to trigger cramps. The level of physical activity was assessed using the Dijon Physical Activity Score (DPAS). We performed univariate and multivariate analyses adjusting for alcohol consumption. 272 participants were matched into 136 pairs. 11% of all were sedentary persons. Adjusting for alcohol consumption, we observed an association between Nocturnal Leg Cramps and a sedentary lifestyle OR = 9.84 (95% credibility interval [1.74; 101.9]; posterior probability 99.68%). Our findings represent an additional argument to promote physical activity to patients over 60 years old. They also highlight the need to develop and evaluate physical activity interventions in the treatment of Nocturnal Legs Cramps.
Highlights
Nocturnal Legs Cramps are a frequent disorder, which have a negative impact on quality of life, among patients over 60 years old
Some authors suggest that neuromuscular structures located in muscle, tendons and nerve fibres seem to be involved in the trigger of muscle cramps[4,5,6]. With this assumption, musculoskeletal conditions associated with sedentary lifestyle[17] as well as work postures[18,19,20], prolonged standing[21] and western habit of sitting instead of squatting[22] have been suspected of causing cramps and Nocturnal Leg Cramps (NLC)
To the best of our knowledge, no study confirmed such a link, our aim was to assess the association between a sedentary lifestyle and Nocturnal Leg Cramps in elderly patients
Summary
Nocturnal Legs Cramps are a frequent disorder, which have a negative impact on quality of life, among patients over 60 years old. Our findings represent an additional argument to promote physical activity to patients over 60 years old They highlight the need to develop and evaluate physical activity interventions in the treatment of Nocturnal Legs Cramps. Some authors suggest that neuromuscular structures located in muscle, tendons and nerve fibres seem to be involved in the trigger of muscle cramps[4,5,6] With this assumption, musculoskeletal conditions associated with sedentary lifestyle[17] as well as work postures[18,19,20], prolonged standing[21] and western habit of sitting instead of squatting[22] have been suspected of causing cramps and NLC. To the best of our knowledge, no study confirmed such a link, our aim was to assess the association between a sedentary lifestyle and Nocturnal Leg Cramps in elderly patients
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