Restless Leg Syndrome Across the Globe: Epidemiology of the Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease.
There are more than 50 epidemiologic studies measuring the prevalence of restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS/WED) across 5 of the 6 inhabited continents (not Australia), most conducted in North America and Europe. Sufficient studies have been conducted in Asia, North America, and Europe to make inferences on RLS/WED prevalence by region. RLS/WED prevalence is thought to be highest in North America and Europe and lower in Asia. These differences across regions may be explained by cultural, environmental, and genetic factors. Future investigation is needed to determine to what extent these factors affect expression of RLS/WED according to world region.
Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, 15 York Street, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neurology, West Haven VAMC, Connecticut Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, USA. Electronic address: koobri@gmail.com.
Brian B
BB
Koo
D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D015995:Prevalence; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics
Epidemiology; RLS; Restless legs syndrome; Willis-Ekbom disease; World