Prevalence, severity and risk factors of restless legs syndrome in the general adult population in two Scandinavian countries. (Norway and Denmark).
BJORVATN B, LEISSNER L, ULFBERG J, GYRING J, KARLSBORG M, REGEUR L, SKEIDSVOLL H, NORDHUS IH, PALLESEN S.
Department of Public Health and Primary Health Care, University of Bergen, Kalfarveien 31 N-5018, Bergen, Norway; Norwegian Competence Center for Sleep Disorders, Norway
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
To estimate prevalence and severity (using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale (IRLS)) and to identify risk factors of restless legs syndrome (RLS).
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
Population-based cross-sectional study; 2005 randomly selected adults 18 years and above participated in a telephone interview in Norway and Denmark, employing the next-birthday technique.
RESULTS:
In all, 2005 randomly selected adults (1025 women, 980 men; mean age, 46.6 years) participated in a telephone interview in Norway and Denmark. Of these adults, 11.5% fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for RLS, and half reported moderate to very severe symptoms, as measured by the IRLS. Fewer than one third reported seeking professional help for their symptoms despite a mean duration of symptoms of 10 years, and a family history of RLS in 42%. Prevalence was 13.4% in women and 9.4% in men, and lowest in the youngest age group (18-29 years, 6.3%). From 30 years and above no clear age-related difference was seen. Main predictors of RLS in this population were insomnia and symptoms of periodic limb movements in sleep.
CONCLUSIONS:
This study indicates that there is a high occurrence of RLS among adults. Main predictors are insomnia and periodic limb movements in sleep.
Source: Sleep Med 2005 May 25
|
|
|
____________________
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine is a professional membership organization dedicated to the advancement of sleep medicine and related research.
____________________ |
|
|
