A study to assess the knowledge on restless legs syndrome among perimenopausal women

Abstract

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by an uncomfortable sensation in the legs which gets worse in the evening or night, relieved upon movement. The aim of this study was to specify the prevalence of RLS in the group of young medical students and to assess the effect of RLS on sleep, as sleep disturbance is one of the chief complaints of RLS patients. A quantitative approach with descriptive research design was used to conduct the study in Kondancheri village at rural area in Thiruvallur district. This study was a cross-sectional study conducted for a period of 3 weeks. A total of 100 women participated and were given questionnaires to detect RLS based on criteria proposed by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. They were sent questions on RLS, general health, sleep problems, reproductive health and menopausal state. The response rate was 70.3%; 15.7% of the women were diagnosed with RLS. Prevalence increased with age. RLS subjects more often had symptoms of affected sleep and depressed mood. Co-morbidity with heart disease was more common among RLS subjects, whereas hypertension and diabetes mellitus were not. There was a strong association between vasomotor symptoms and RLS but no statistical relationship between use of hormone replacement therapy, perimenopausal state and RLS. The prevalence of RLS among Swedish women is high. RLS sufferers more often suffered from depression and heart disease, whereas no such associations were noted for diabetes or hypertension. We found an increased prevalence of RLS among women with vasomotor symptoms (night sweats) during the menopausal transition but not among women using hormone replacement therapy.