Definition of Restless Legs Syndrome
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder that is manifested in disorders of sensitivity in the lower extremities and their excessive motor activity primarily at rest or during sleep. Restless legs syndrome can be primary or secondary (associated with various pathological conditions).
Below are medical conditions for which there may be a secondary restless legs syndrome:
Often:
- Pregnancy
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Iron deficiency
- Radiculopathy
- Renal failure
- Parkinson
- Spinal Cord Injury
Less often:
- Porphyry
- Rheumatoid arthritis
It should be noted that not all patients with these conditions occurs Restless legs syndrome. In addition, these states may burden the primary RLS in patients who have had the disease previously.
Relatives often have primary RLS and it is regarded as a hereditary disease, but the exact nature of inheritance has not yet been determined. The pathogenesis of this disease is unclear. So far scientists have not been able to identify specific violations of the nervous system, leading to the development of restless legs syndrome.
Prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome
In the Canadian study (1994) 15% of respondents reported “restless legs” during bedtime, 10% reported unpleasant sensations in the leg muscles associated with nocturnal awakening and irresistible urge to move legs or walk.
Kentucky study (1996) showed that 5.9% of the respondents frequently noted symptoms of RLS, 4.1% – often, that in general was 10%.
In the study by the National Sleep Foundation (1998) 25% of adults reported that they experienced discomfort in the legs (tingling, pricking) a few nights a month or more, 15% – a few nights a week or more, 8% – every night or almost every night. Of these, 50% indicated that discomfort in the legs violates their sleep. The study showed that almost 25% of persons older than 65 years have symptoms of restless legs syndrome.
Summarizing we can say that about 10% of all adults have some form of restless legs syndrome (RLS).