Restless Legs Syndrome, Sleep, and Quality of Life among Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

Objective: Clinical reports in children implicate restless legs syndrome (RLS) with sleep and behavior problems. However, population-based studies on this association in adolescents and young adults are limited. Furthermore, few studies have evaluated the association between symptoms consistent with RLS and quality of life (QoL). Study Design: This cross-sectional study included 214 Caucasian and Hispanic adolescents and young adults aged 12-20 years. Symptoms consistent with RLS were based on four essential criteria and if the symptoms occurred ≥ 5 days/ month. Trouble falling asleep was present if reported "yes, still have the problem." Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the Pediatric QoL Inventory. Three summary QoL scores ranging from 0-100 were evaluated; higher scores indicated better QoL. Results: Participants were 50% male and 68.1% Caucasian. Prevalence of RLS was 8.4% (n = 18). RLS was associated with trouble falling asleep (OR = 3.1, p = 0.049), and trouble falling asleep was associated with worse Psychosocial Health scores (Coeff. −5.6, p = 0.004) and Total Scale scores for quality of life (Coeff. −4.6, p = 0.007). Conclusions:The prevalence of symptoms consistent with RLS in this community-based sample of adolescents and young adults, aged 12-20, is comparable to rates reported in older cohorts. Symptoms consistent with RLS may be associated with trouble falling asleep and psychosocial distress that may contribute to a lower health-related quality of life. S C I E N T I F I C I N V E S T I G A T I O N SR estless legs syndrome (RLS) is defi ned as a sensorimotor disorder that can have a pronounced disturbance on sleep with symptom severity ranging from mild and occasional to nightly and severe with complete disruption of sleep. Four essential criteria have been identifi ed and are required for the identifi cation of RLS.1 These are: (1) an urge to move the legs often accompanied by unpleasant sensations; (2) the urge is worsened during rest or inactivity; (3) the urge is improved with leg movement; and (4) the urge is worsened in the evening or night. The prevalence of RLS in adults is approximately 10% and has been associated with iron defi ciency, pregnancy, end-stage renal disease, and family history of RLS.2,3 RLS was fi rst described in children by Walters in 1994, 4 and the prevalence of RLS has been reported to be between 2% and 6%, 5,6 although relatively few studies of RLS have been conducted in the pediatric and adolescent populations. In adults, RLS has been associated with depression.7 However, little information is available on the impact of RLS on quality of life. In one study, RLS was found to have a signifi cant impact on health-related quality of life, measured using the SF-36 (Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form health survey), in 85 adult subjects with RLS as compared to 2,474 subjects from the general population.8 Subjects with RLS reported signifi cant defi cits in health-related quality of life when compared to subjects with hypertension, cardiovascular conditions...

Restless legs syndrome in children with allergic rhinitis: A comparative study on frequency, severity and sleep quality

“…The prevalence of the syndrome ranges from 1 to 15% in the general population, and about 2-4% of school-aged children and adolescents. [6,7] The RLS symptoms which are worse at night and rest are partially or totally relieved by movements and may be associated with sleep disturbances and psychosocial distress. [6,7] Diagnosis is based on clinical features and the diagnostic criteria suggested by International RLS Study group (IRLSSG).…”

“…[6,7] The RLS symptoms which are worse at night and rest are partially or totally relieved by movements and may be associated with sleep disturbances and psychosocial distress. [6,7] Diagnosis is based on clinical features and the diagnostic criteria suggested by International RLS Study group (IRLSSG). [6] However, RLS still remains underdiagnosed probably due to lack of accurate information about the disease.…”

Medikamentöse Behandlung des Restless-Legs-Syndroms

“…Mit dieser Prävalenz muss das RLS zu den klinisch relevanten Erkrankungen im Praxisalltag gezählt werden. Jugendliche und Kinder zeigen eine vergleichbare Bewertung der Einschränkung der Lebensqualität durch ein RLS (6). Nach wie vor wird bei einem milden bis moderaten RLS als "First-Line-Therapie" L-Dopa in Kombination mit einem Decarboxylasehemmer empfohlen.…”

Impact of Positive Airway Pressure on International Restless Legs Syndrome Score in Sleep Disordered Breathing

“…Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a chronic sensorimotor disorder with a prevalence of approximately 10% in the general population, yet often underdiagnosed and undertreated [1]. RLS has adverse downstream consequences, including impairment in quality of life, trouble falling asleep, daytime sleepiness, and difficulty in concentration and learning [2].…”