Low RLS prevalence and awareness in central Greece: an epidemiological survey

Abstract

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder with a general population prevalence of 3-10%. A single, previous epidemiological study performed in south-east Europe reported the lowest prevalence rate amongst European countries. We conducted a population-based survey of RLS in central Greece. A total of 4200 subjects were randomly recruited. We used the international RLS study group criteria for diagnosis and the severity scale for severity assessment in subjects with RLS. We also included questions to assess the level of awareness of RLS in our region. A total of 3033 subjects were screened. The overall lifetime prevalence was 3.9% with a female-to-male ratio of 2.6:1. Nearly half of RLS patients reported moderate to severe intensity of symptoms. After adjustment for multiple comparisons we found no association of RLS with education level, smoking, alcohol intake, caffeine consumption, shift work, professional pesticide use or comorbid illness. Our study revealed a low level of awareness amongst the population and physicians in our region and sub-optimal management. We provide further evidence for low prevalence of RLS in south-east Europe and a low level of awareness of RLS in our region.

Restless Legs Syndrome in an Appalachian Primary Care Population: Prevalence, Demographic and Lifestyle Correlates, and Burden

“…Relatively few studies have specifically examined the association of RLS to socioeconomic indices, including education, income, and employment, and even fewer have assessed the relation of RLS to race/ ethnicity or marital status. 1,43 In this investigation, participants with RLS were less likely to be college educated and more likely to be lower income, in agreement with some, 20,21,23 but not other studies 21,44,45 in the general population. Likewise, in agreement with a state-wide survey study of 1,803 Kentucky residents, 21 but in contrast to findings from a second large…”

Restless leg syndrome, sleep quality and fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients

“…RLS prevalence has been reported to be higher in female patients in most reports (24,25) and to increase with age (19). Ethnic variations have been described and lower prevalence rates have been claimed in Greeks (27). A recent population-based study has shown a prevalence of 7.1% among Brazilians (28).…”

Restless legs syndrome does not affect 3-year mortality in hemodialysis patients

“…This population consisted of all patients with end-stage renal disease who were receiving chronic HD treatment (≥2 times per week for at least 3 months), in six renal units in Greece between January and September 2010. In a previous crosssectional survey of our group [11], conducted by means of standard methodology [19][20][21], we assessed the prevalence and severity of RLS in this population. Briefly, the local version of the four essential clinical criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) rating scale, which has been validated in previous studies, was implemented as a screening tool for RLS diagnosis [11,20].…”

“…In a previous crosssectional survey of our group [11], conducted by means of standard methodology [19][20][21], we assessed the prevalence and severity of RLS in this population. Briefly, the local version of the four essential clinical criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) rating scale, which has been validated in previous studies, was implemented as a screening tool for RLS diagnosis [11,20]. In cases that fulfilled all four criteria, diagnosis was confirmed, and RLS severity was evaluated according to the IRLSSG rating scale (Greek version) during a personal interview conducted by an RLS expert (G.M.H.)…”

“…In cases that fulfilled all four criteria, diagnosis was confirmed, and RLS severity was evaluated according to the IRLSSG rating scale (Greek version) during a personal interview conducted by an RLS expert (G.M.H.) [11,19,20]. According to the IRLSSG rating scale, severity was classified as mild (<11 on the IRLSSG rating scale), moderate (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20), severe (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30), and very severe (31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40) [21].…”