title: Prevalence of restless legs syndrome among leprosy patients: a hospital based study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a type of neurological disorder which presents with an uncontrollable urge to move legs and arms. It commonly affects legs more than arms. Data regarding prevalence of restless legs syndrome in leprosy are sparse. The aims and objectives of the study were to find out the prevalence of RLS in people affected by leprosy and to determine the presence and magnitude of sleep disruption in leprosy patients with RLS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Total 143 patients diagnosed with leprosy were enrolled in the study. A diagnosis of RLS and a severity assessment were made using the criteria described by International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was evaluated in all those who were diagnosed with RLS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 143 patients recruited in the study, 56 (39.16%) patients were found to be suffering from RLS. Mean Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index global score was higher (16.55), and the value was specifically higher among patients presenting with Type-2 lepra reaction (17.8) and pure neuritic leprosy (15.93).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The frequency of RLS among leprosy patients is significantly higher. They suffer from bad sleep quality at night which significantly affects their quality of life. So all patients affected with leprosy should be evaluated for RLS and early treatment should be started to improve their sleep.
authors.forename: Tanmay
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Padhi
authors.forename: Swetalina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pradhan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007918:Leprosy / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012890:Sleep; D055815:Young Adult