Epidemiology of restless legs syndrome in Korean adults.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in Korea.


METHODS
A large population-based telephone interview method using the Korean version of the Johns Hopkins telephone diagnostic interview for the RLS.


METHODS
A computer aided telephone interview method.


METHODS
A total of 5,000 subjects (2,470 men and 2,530 women) were interviewed in depth. A representative sample aged 20 to 69 years was constituted according to a stratified, multistage random sampling method.


METHODS
N/A.


RESULTS
Of the respondents, 373 respondents (7.5%) of the population (pop) met the criteria for the definite or probable RLS groups: 194 (3.9% of pop) respondents fulfilled the criteria for definite RLS and 179 (3.6% of pop) respondents fulfilled the criteria for probable RLS. The prevalence of RLS was generally higher for women than men (4.4% vs. 3.3% for definite, 8.7% vs. 6.2% for definite plus probable). About 90% of RLS individuals were experiencing symptoms at the time of the interview and this was similar for both RLS groups. Seventy-four respondents (1.48%) reported symptoms were moderately or severely distressing and were therefore classified as RLS "sufferers." Of those with a diagnosis of RLS sufferer, 24.3% reported being treated for their symptoms, compared to 12.4% of RLS not designated a "sufferer."


CONCLUSIONS
RLS is common and underdiagnosed in Korea with nearly 1% of the population reporting disturbed sleep related to their RLS. These results are comparable to other countries.
Cho
Yong Won
YW
Department of Neurology, Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University, Daegu, Korea. neurocho@dsmc.or.kr
Shin
Won Chul
WC
Yun
Chang Ho
CH
Hong
Sung Bong
SB
Kim
Ju Han
JH
Allen
Richard P
RP
Earley
Christopher J
CJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires