Prevalence of Restless Leg Syndrome in School Going Students and Assessment of Fatigue

Abstract

Background: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease (WED), is a common condition where you feel an uncontrollable urge to move your legs because they feel uncomfortable, occasionally as painful sensations in the legs. This study investigates the prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) among school-going students and examines the variation in fatigue scores between restless leg syndrome-positive and restless leg syndrome-negative individuals. Materials and methods: A sample of 142 students from Pune, India participated in this cross-sectional study. RLS prevalence was determined using standardized diagnostic criteria, while fatigue scores were assessed using the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI) scale. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. Result: Results revealed a 51.40% prevalence of restless leg syndrome among the sampled population. 47.37% students exhibit mild RLS, 35.53% students have moderate out of total diagnosed cases. Statistical analysis demonstrated slight differences in fatigue scores between restless leg syndrome -positive and restless leg syndrome-negative students, with mean fatigue score of 54.12 in restless leg syndrome positive students, highlighting the impact of RLS on fatigue levels. These findings underscore the importance of early detection and intervention strategies for RLS in school-aged individuals to mitigate its effects on daily functioning and well-being. Conclusion: A considerably higher prevalence of restless leg syndrome was found in school going students with female predominance. A slight increase in fatigue score was seen on fatigue score analysis in restless leg syndrome positive students compared to their nonaffected counterparts.