Effects of restless legs syndrome on quality of life and psychological status in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of restless legs syndrome (RLS) on quality of life (QoL), anxiety, and depression in people with type 2 diabetes.



One hundred twenty-four patients with type 2 diabetes were enrolled in this study. RLS was diagnosed by a neurologist masked on psychological evaluation. Data on severity, frequency, and duration of the sleep disorder were collected. The Italian version of the SF-36 was used to assess QoL. Psychological status was investigated by a neuropsychologist masked on RLS diagnosis. Patients with a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) were considered affected by anxiety and depression, respectively. A modified version of the Hamilton Anxiety and Depression Rating Scales (HARS and HDRS) was also administered.



RLS was an independent predictor for several mental domains of the SF-36 and for the mental component summary. Multivariate analysis showed that RLS was an independent predictor of anxiety and depression. RLS severity correlated with HARS and HDRS scores, whereas frequency per week of RLS had a significant correlation only with HARS score.



Among individuals with diabetes, RLS can impair mental health, increasing the risk for anxiety and depression. Since RLS consequences on nocturnal rest and psychological status may impair glycemic control in this population, diabetologists and diabetes educators should investigate for the presence of RLS in their patients and treat them.
Merlino
Giovanni
G
The Sleep Disorder Center, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Udine, Italy (Dr Merlino, Dr Valente, Dr Serafini, Dr Fratticci, Dr Del Guidice, Dr Piani, Dr Gigli)|The DPMSC, University of Udine, Italy (Dr Merlino, Dr Valente, Dr Gigli)
Valente
Mariarosaria
M
The Sleep Disorder Center, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Udine, Italy (Dr Merlino, Dr Valente, Dr Serafini, Dr Fratticci, Dr Del Guidice, Dr Piani, Dr Gigli)|The DPMSC, University of Udine, Italy (Dr Merlino, Dr Valente, Dr Gigli)
Serafini
Anna
A
The Sleep Disorder Center, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Udine, Italy (Dr Merlino, Dr Valente, Dr Serafini, Dr Fratticci, Dr Del Guidice, Dr Piani, Dr Gigli)
Fratticci
Lara
L
The Sleep Disorder Center, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Udine, Italy (Dr Merlino, Dr Valente, Dr Serafini, Dr Fratticci, Dr Del Guidice, Dr Piani, Dr Gigli)
Del Giudice
Angela
A
The Sleep Disorder Center, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Udine, Italy (Dr Merlino, Dr Valente, Dr Serafini, Dr Fratticci, Dr Del Guidice, Dr Piani, Dr Gigli)
Piani
Antonella
A
The Sleep Disorder Center, Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Udine, Italy (Dr Merlino, Dr Valente, Dr Serafini, Dr Fratticci, Dr Del Guidice, Dr Piani, Dr Gigli)
Noacco
Claudio
C
The Diabetes Center, Santa Maria della Misericordia University Hospital, Udine, Italy (Dr Noacco)
Gigli
Gian Luigi
GL
The DPMSC, University of Udine, Italy (Dr Merlino, Dr Valente, Dr Gigli)
D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior