title: Clinical correlates of the restless legs syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the clinical correlates of the restless legs syndrome (RLS) in a Brazilian sleep disorders center.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively studied 118 patients with RLS from January, 2004, to December, 2010. The analyzed variables were: age at disease onset, gender, race, years of school instruction, primary and secondary RLS, and treatment options.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the studied patients, 83.9% were women with a female/male sex ratio of 5:1. Mean age of the patients at symptom onset ± standard deviation was 41.7±17.9 years-old. The primary RLS was found in 85% of patients. The other 15% remainders consisted of secondary forms, and they were associated with neuropathy, iron deficiency anemia, end-stage renal disease, or Parkinson's disease. Drug therapy for RLS was introduced in 67% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most patients presented primary RLS with an early disease onset. Further epidemiological studies are welcomed to provide better information on secondary RLS in Brazil.
authors: Division of Sleep Disorders, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Claudio Rossi 394, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. luisfabianom@gmail.com
authors: Luis Fabiano
authors: LF
authors: Marin
authors: Andre Carvalho
authors: AC
authors: Felicio
authors: William Adolfo
authors: WA
authors: Santos
authors: Lucila Bizari
authors: LB
authors: Prado
authors: Gilmar Fernandes
authors: GF
authors: Prado
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D055815:Young Adult