Should Clinicians Pay Attention to the Frequency and Duration of RLS Symptoms?

In addition to confirming the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome, we should inquire about frequency and duration of symptoms.

Ohayon and colleagues reexamined the prevalence in the general population of restless legs syndrome (RLS) using DSM-5 criteria but applying the frequency and duration of symptoms to the case definition. They contacted 19,136 noninstitutionalized U.S. persons older than 18 years via a cross-sectional telephone survey; 17% chose not to participate. Participants were asked about leg symptoms, impairment, psychiatric and medical conditions, medications and substance use, and health-related quality of life. Analysis used two different weekly frequency thresholds.

When using 1 day/week of symptoms as the criterion for RLS, prevalence ranged from 5.7% to 12.3%. Using a 3-day/week symptomatic criterion, the prevalence dropped to between 1.8% and 4.5…

Reviewing Author

Michael S. Okun, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America

Speaker’s BureauMedscape/WebMD CME, Movement Disorders Society CME, American Academy of Neurology CME

RoyaltiesBooks4Patients; Demos; Cambridge; Taylor and Francis; Robert Rose; Public Affairs

Grant/Research SupportNational Institutes of Health; Parkinson’s Foundation; Tourette Association of America; University of Florida Foundation

Editorial BoardsTremor and Other Hyperkinetic Movements; JAMA Neurology

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesParkinson’s Foundation (Medical Advisor)