title: Ethnic differences in the prevalence and predictors of restless legs syndrome between Hispanics of Mexican descent and non-Hispanic Whites in San Diego county: a population-based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the prevalence and predictors of RLS in Hispanics of Mexican descent (HMD) and non-Hispanic whites (NHW).
  
  
  METHODS
  A population-based random digit dialing telephone questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  San Diego County California
  
  
  METHODS
  1,754 HMD and 1,913 NHW adults ≥ 18 years of age able to participate in a telephone interview in English or Spanish.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  RLS was defined by the presence of all 4 criteria of the International Restless Legs Study Group. Sleepiness was measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Acculturation was evaluated using the Short Acculturation Scale for Hispanics. Risk factors for RLS were by self-report. The survey was conducted in the subject's language of choice. RLS prevalence was significantly lower in HMD than in NHW (14.4% vs.18.3%, p = 0.002). High acculturation HMD had a significantly greater RLS prevalence than the low acculturation group (17.4% vs. 12.8%, p = 0.008). Predictors of RLS varied between HMD and NHW. Female gender (OR 1.40, 95% CI 1.04, 1.90, p = 0.027), smoking (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.27, 2.61, p = 0.001), and acculturation (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.10, 1.97, p = 0.009) were independent predictors of RLS in HMD, while only older age (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.0, 1.02) was an independent predictor of RLS for NHW.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of RLS was significantly lower in HMD than in NHW, and significantly greater in high acculturation HMD. Our data suggest that risk factors for RLS vary by race/ethnicity and acculturation is an independent risk for RLS in HMD.
authors: Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors: Kittisak
authors: K
authors: Sawanyawisuth
authors: Lawrence A
authors: LA
authors: Palinkas
authors: Sonia
authors: S
authors: Ancoli-Israel
authors: Joel E
authors: JE
authors: Dimsdale
authors: José S
authors: JS
authors: Loredo
mesh_terms: D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*