Evaluation of Adolescents with Restless Legs Syndrome: Relation to School Success

Abstract

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), which may be a missed diagnosis in children, is seen at an important frequency. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with RLS and to show the effect of RLS on school success. Forty-three patients with RLS and 43 healthy volunteers were included to the study. Blood samples were taken to measure ferritin. The averages of school exam scores were recorded. The patient group was classified as mild, moderate, severe, and very severe according to the RLS rating scale. The daytime sleepiness was measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The"Turgay DSM-IV-Based Child and Adolescent Disruptive Behavioral Disorders Screening and Rating Scale (T-DSM-IV-S)" was completed by parents, and patients' inattention, and hyperactivity-impulsivity scores were compared with the control group. According to the RLS rating scale scores 25.6% (n:11) were evaluated as mild, 60.5% (n:26) were moderate and 14% (n:6) were severe. The mean ferritin level was significantly lower in the patient group. The mean score of inattention and hyperactivity-impulsivity in the patient group to be significantly higher than the control. The mathematics and science course mean grades were significantly lower in the patient group than the controls (66.7±17.7 vs 74.2±11.7). ESS scores were found to be significantly higher in the patient group. In this study, RLS has been found associated with ADHD and iron deficiency, similar to previous studies. There are not many studies on the effects of RLS in children on daily life and this study has objectively shown that RLS reduces patients' school achievement