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. 2024 Mar 18:15:1366839.
doi: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1366839. eCollection 2024.

Associations of anxiety and depression with restless leg syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tianyang An  1 , Haiyang Sun  2 , Lu Yuan  3 , Xiuling Wu  4 , Baoquan Lu  4
Affiliations

Associations of anxiety and depression with restless leg syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Tianyang An et al. Front Neurol. .

Abstract

Background: The levels of anxiety and depression among patients with restless leg syndrome (RLS) are controversial. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the levels of depression and anxiety among individuals with RLS with those of healthy controls.

Methods: We conducted an extensive electronic search of the PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases from their inception dates to 20 June 2023. Studies presenting data on depression and anxiety in individuals with RLS were included, and a comprehensive meta-analysis was performed.

Results: Twenty-one studies matched the inclusion criteria. Significantly more depressive symptoms were present in the individuals with RLS than in those without RLS, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory [mean difference (MD) = 6.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.54-7.62, p < 0.01; heterogeneity I2 = 0%, p = 0.99]. Similarly, the results from the Beck Anxiety Inventory indicated that there were significantly more pronounced anxiety symptoms in the individuals with RLS than in those without RLS (MD = 9.30, 95%CI = 7.65-10.94, p < 0.01; heterogeneity I2 = 0%, p = 0.92). The other anxiety and depression scales also yielded statistically significant results. Significant heterogeneity was observed in the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, with the primary contributing factor probably being the scoring criteria of the scales.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis found that the levels of depression and anxiety symptoms were significantly higher in individuals with RLS than in their healthy counterparts.Systematic review registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023410364, (identifier CRD42023410364).

Keywords: anxiety; depression; mental health; meta-analysis; restless legs syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
PRISMA flow diagram of identification, screening, and selection process for the meta-analysis on depression, anxiety, and Restless Legs Syndrome.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Forest plot of RLS and risk of depression symptoms. CI, Confidence interval; RLS, Restless Legs Syndrome.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Forest plot of RLS and risk of anxiety symptoms. CI, Confidence interval; RLS, Restless Legs Syndrome.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The publication bias of funnel panel on depression symptoms was measured by BDI.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Funnel panel for publication bias of depression symptoms was measured by BAI.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Egger test results.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Sensitivity analysis of depression symptoms was measured by BDI.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Sensitivity analysis of anxiety symptoms was measured by BAI.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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