Sick leave and absence from work due to restless legs syndrome

Abstract

Introduction In order to assess the impact of RLS on their working life, members of RLS patient organizations were asked to provide information on the total time they had to spend at home due to their RLS symptoms – RLS only, no other illness. Materials and methods A detailed questionnaire was sent to 11,731 members of RLS patient organizations in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Great Britain, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, Canada and the USA. 4278 questionnaires were returned, of which 4107 (35.0%) could be analyzed. Questions were asked on a variety of topics, among which sick leave and disabllity benefit. Results Sick leave 165 respondents (4.0%) are/have been on sick leave due to RLS. Symptoms in sick leave respondents compared to 3942 respondents not on sick leave are more severe (range 0–40). Average without treatment 24.58 (21.27), SD 9.08 (8.75), p 0.000022. Average with treatment 12.96 (9.70), SD 8.50 (7.00), p 0.000028. Time from onset to diagnosis was shorter for sick leave respondents. Average 13.16 (15.61) years (SD 13.07 (15.74) p 0.0232). Treatment of sick leave respondents is not optimal. Dopamine agonists were given in only 68.5% (72.3%) of cases, antiepileptics in 16.4% (13.9%). Sick leave respondents showed a higher use of antidepressants: 23.0% (17.5%), p 0.00017. Disability insurance benefit – DIB 75 (1.8%) of all respondents receive DIB due to RLS. Symptoms in DIB respondents compared to 4032 respondents not on DIB are more severe (range 0–40). Average without treatment 25.90 (21.31), SD 9.39 (8.76), p 0.00018. Average with treatment 13.29 (9.77), SD 9.14 (7.05), p 0.0046. Time from onset to diagnosis was longer for DIB respondents: average 16.53 (15.49), SD 16.01 (15.64), p 0.592. Treatment of DIB respondents is not optimal: Dopamine agonists were given in 70.7% (72.2%) of cases, antiepileptics in 16.0 % (13.9%). DIB respondents showed a lower use of antidepressants: 9.3% (17.9%), p 0.00008. Despite treatment an overall 2–4% of patents report sick or are on disability benefits because of RLS. Conclusion The authors conclude that correct and early diagnosis and optimal medical treatment may lead to decreased sick leave as well as disability insurance benefits in severe RLS and thus reduce health care expenditure and increase quality of life for these patients. Acknowledgements The authors wish to acknowledge the dedication of the thousands of RLS patients worldwide who helped complete this questionnaire and provided us with detailed and accurate information not hitherto known.