title: The frequency and impact of restless legs syndrome in primary care.
abstract: This study examined the prevalence and impact of moderate to severe RLS (MS-RLS) in primary care patients in Ireland. Patients completed a screening questionnaire and those with symptoms suggestive of MS-RLS underwent a diagnostic interview. Patients diagnosed with MS-RLS completed quality of life and sleep assessment questionnaires, and their medical records were examined. Of 2628 patients screened for RLS, 74 (2.8%, 95% confidence interval 2.2%-3.5%) were ultimately diagnosed at interview as having MS-RLS. These patients reported significant impact on sleep and quality of life; 24 (32.4%) had consulted a health care professional about their RLS symptoms but only 4 (16.7%) were diagnosed with RLS. Ten (13.5%) MS-RLS patients were taking inappropriate medicines to try to relieve their symptoms. Clinically significant RLS is common in Irish general practice and has a significant effect on sleep and quality of life. Nevertheless, the condition often goes undiagnosed.
authors: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Galway Regional Hospitals. sokanc@iolfree.ie
authors: S T
authors: ST
authors: O'Keeffe
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Egan
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Myers
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Redmond
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012890:Sleep; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires