Awareness Of Restless Legs Syndrome Research Articles

Prevalence and Awareness of Restless Legs Syndrome and Associated Self Reported Sleep Problems in Medical Students

Prevalence and Awareness of Restless Legs Syndrome and Associated Self Reported Sleep Problems in Medical Students

Restless abdomen: a spectrum or a phenotype variant of restless legs syndrome?

BackgroundWith the growing awareness of restless legs syndrome (RLS), sensory disorders similar to RLS but initially confined to the arms, abdomen, and perineum have been reported. One of them is restless abdomen, which refers to a restless sensation in abdomen. Our study is designed to evaluate the clinical phenotype of restless abdomen and investigate its relationship with RLS.MethodsWe enrolled 10 patients with restless abdomen according to RLS diagnostic criteria, excluding the requiring of leg involvement. Laboratory examinations were performed to exclude mimics and notable comorbidities.ResultsAll 10 patients had RLS like symptoms in the abdomen and otherwise satisfied all other RLS diagnostic criteria, and responded to dopaminergic therapy.ConclusionsNeurologists and gastroenterologists should be aware that RLS-related restlessness can occur in extra-leg anatomy in the absence of episodes of worsening or augmentation of restlessness.

The value of treatment of restless legs syndrome: socio-economic impact of RLS and of inadequate diagnosis and treatment across different healthcare systems

Introduction: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is one of the most common neurological disorders. Adult prevalence of moderate to severe RLS in the European population is about 2.7%. The key characteristics, including severe sleep disturbance and restlessness in the evening and night, have substantial impact on normal daily activities. Given the high prevalence in the general population, the low awareness of the disease, and how RLS affects people´s lives, this study set out to evaluate the socio-economic impact of RLS across different EU healthcare systems. Materials and methods: The RLS care pathway was mapped in order to identify the unmet needs of patients as well as the underlying causal factors. The authors describe the patient ´s journey through the healthcare systems in three countries (DE, FR, IT) as well as the barriers to optimal treatment. Based on these data the cost of differences between adequate and inadequate treatment were calculated and the burden of the lack of awareness of RLS, inadequate diagnosis and treatment, as well as the resulting societal cost was unveiled. Results: This analysis finds RLS to be a significant personal and social burden, the second most costly neurological disease in the healthcare systems analysed. The authors foresee substantial economic impacts well beyond what may be anticipated from current epidemiological figures in the literature when adequate diagnosis and treatment of RLS will be in place. Conclusions: Education about RLS is urgently needed to increase expertise of healthcare professionals on how to diagnose and manage RLS. Equally important the search into the cause(s) of RLS and for new treatment strategies have to be intensified in order to reduce suffering and substantial societal cost.

Restless legs syndrome is related to obstructive sleep apnea symptoms during pregnancy

To investigate the relation between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and obstructive sleep apnea symptoms during pregnancy. A questionnaire consisting of diagnostic criteria of restless legs syndrome, demographic characteristics, personal behavior, muscle cramps during pregnancy, past medical illnesses, family history of RLS, and the major symptoms of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome was administered during a face-to-face interview. Pregnant women with and without RLS were compared in terms of serum hemoglobin, hematocrit, calcium, phosphor, iron, folate, vitamin B12 levels, and obstructive sleep apnea symptoms. There were statistically significant differences between two groups in terms of two of the obstructive sleep apnea symptoms (witnessed apnea and fatigue) (p < 0.01). No statistically significant difference was found with regard to serum calcium, magnesium, iron, hemoglobin, hematocrit, vitamin B12, phosphor, and folate levels; however, there were significant differences in terms of total iron-binding capacity. Increasing awareness of restless legs syndrome among obstetricians is essential as it might be related to obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, which is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Time to improve awareness of restless legs syndrome

Time to improve awareness of restless legs syndrome

Email-based epidemiological surveys on restless legs syndrome in Japan

The prevalence, clinical significance and awareness of restless legs syndrome (RLS) have not been well identified in Japan. We conducted an Internet-based survey on the general Japanese population. Using an Internet-linked questionnaire, we evaluated 8126 respondents, consisting of a cross-section of Japanese adults aged 20 to 59 years. The questionnaire items consisted of demographic variables, the National Institute of Health/International RLS Study Group (IRLSSG) consensus questionnaire, the IRLSSG rating scale (IRLS), the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and questions regarding diagnosis and treatment. Probable RLS was found in 326 participants (4.01%). The prevalence was significantly higher in women (4.9%) than in men (3.0%), but did not differ by age. Most of the probable participants had mild to moderate IRLS severity and their average PSQI score was significantly higher than in unaffected participants. No probable RLS participants had been diagnosed with RLS, and only 7.7% had sought medical assistance. The prevalence of probable RLS in Japan is higher than in previous reports in Asia and, despite its low severity, the disorder is also thought to contribute to sleep disturbances in affected individuals. RLS is not well recognized in Japan and so promoting RLS awareness is necessary.