Abstract
BackgroundDiscrepancies have been reported in the prevalence rate of restless legs syndrome (RLS) among different ethnic groups and geographic populations. Furthermore, there are disagreements on determinant factors and associated comorbidities of RLS. We aimed to estimate prevalence of RLS and investigate its associated comorbid conditions and risk factors in a large population-based door-to-door survey.MethodsFollowing a multistage random sampling from the households lived in 22 urban districts of Tehran, Iran, 19176 participants with ≥30 years of age were recruited. Trained surveyors filled study checklist consisting of baseline characteristics, risk factors and comorbidity profile and the International RLS Study Group (IRLSSG) diagnostic criteria through face-to-face interviews.ResultsIn total, 1580 individuals were positively screened for RLS resulting in a standardized prevalence rate of 60.0/1000. There was a gradual increase in RLS prevalence by advancing age, however, sex difference disappeared after adjustment. Parkinsonism [adjusted odds’ ratio (adj-OR) = 7.4 (95% CI: 5.3–10.4)], peripheral neuropathy [adj-OR = 3.7 (95% CI: 3.3–4.1)], subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) [adj-OR = 3.1 (95% CI: 2.7–3.4)], acting out dreams [adj-OR = 2.8 (95% CI: 2.5–3.2)], hyposmia [adj-OR = 2.5 (95% CI: 2.2–2.9)], active smoking [adj-OR = 1.5 (95% CI: 1.3–1.9)] and additional number of cardiometabolic diseases associated with higher risk of RLS [adj-OR = 1.6 (95% CI: 1.2–2.3)].ConclusionOur findings showed that neuro-cognitive co-morbidities such as parkinsonism, peripheral neuropathy, SCI, acting out dreams and hyposmia as well as cardio-metabolic risk factors and diseases were independent determinants of RLS. It is recommended to screen individuals with either these comorbid conditions for RLS or the ones with RLS for the accompanying diseases.
Highlights
Restless legs syndrome (RLS), known as Willis–Ekbom disease, is a common sensorimotor neurological syndrome which is clinically characterized by unpleasant sensations such as itching, creeping and tingling in limbs, in legs
1580 individuals were positively screened for restless legs syndrome (RLS) resulting in a standardized prevalence rate of 60.0/1000
There was a gradual increase in RLS prevalence by advancing age, sex difference disappeared after adjustment
Summary
Restless legs syndrome (RLS), known as Willis–Ekbom disease, is a common sensorimotor neurological syndrome which is clinically characterized by unpleasant sensations such as itching, creeping and tingling in limbs, in legs. Epidemiological studies have reported discrepancies in the prevalence of RLS among different ethnic groups and geographic populations. These surveys have reported dissimilar findings regarding the role of sex and age in the incidence of RLS, and its comorbidity profile in different Western and Asian populations [10]. Such a conspicuous variety is probably in part due to methodological issues such as definition of RLS, sampling frame and method for recruiting participants, and list of environmental factors and ethno-demographic determinants. Discrepancies have been reported in the prevalence rate of restless legs syndrome (RLS) among different ethnic groups and geographic populations. We aimed to estimate prevalence of RLS and investigate its associated comorbid conditions and risk factors in a large population-based door-to-door survey
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