title: Prevalence of cramps in patients over the age of 60 in primary care : a cross sectional study.
abstract: Cramps are involuntary painful muscle contractions that mainly affect older people. Cramps may cause severe pain and sleep disturbance. Little information exists on the prevalence and the main features of cramps in primary care settings. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and the main features of cramps among primary care patients aged 60 years and older.
  
  
  
  We prospectively enrolled 516 patients aged 60 years and older in a cross-sectional study at 25 general practices in Alsace - France between October 2011 and March 2012. Questionnaires were used to obtain information about demographics, cramp presence and main features, medical history, and treatment.
  
  
  
  The adjusted prevalence was 46 % (95 % CI: 38-53 %). Thirty-one per cent of the study sample reported being woken up by cramps, 15 % had cramps more than 3 times a month. Logistic regression revealed a slightly higher prevalence in the age group 65-69 years compared to 60-64 years. No significant association was observed between other age groups and prevalence, or between gender and prevalence. The main localization of cramps was in the calves (80 %). The duration since onset was 5 years or more for 58 %.
  
  
  
  Cramps are common in primary care, and although only a minority of patients report suffering from cramps more than once a week, many patients report cramp-related sleep disturbance. Further studies are needed to assess risk factors and therapeutic options for patients suffering from cramps in primary care.
authors: Primary Care Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, rue Michel Servet 11, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland. hubert.maisonneuve@unige.ch.|General Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Strasbourg, 4 rue Kirschleger, 67000, Strasbourg, France. hubert.maisonneuve@unige.ch.
authors: Hubert
authors: 0000-0002-5276-1122
authors: H
authors: Maisonneuve
authors: General Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Strasbourg, 4 rue Kirschleger, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
authors: Juliette
authors: J
authors: Chambe
authors: General Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Strasbourg, 4 rue Kirschleger, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
authors: Chloé
authors: C
authors: Delacour
authors: Public Health Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Strasbourg, 4 rue Kirschleger, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
authors: Joris
authors: J
authors: Muller
authors: General Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Strasbourg, 4 rue Kirschleger, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
authors: Fabien
authors: F
authors: Rougerie
authors: Primary Care Unit, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, rue Michel Servet 11, 1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors: Dagmar M
authors: DM
authors: Haller
authors: General Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Strasbourg, 4 rue Kirschleger, 67000, Strasbourg, France.
authors: Michel
authors: M
authors: Leveque
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D020920:Dyssomnias / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: General practice; Nocturnal leg cramps; Prevalence; Primary care