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. 2025 Apr;14(4):1359-1367.
doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_1194_24. Epub 2025 Apr 25.

Clinical profile of restless leg syndrome and its effect on sleep and quality of life

Agrata Sharma  1 , Nirendra Kumar Rai  1 , Ruchi Singh  2
Affiliations

Clinical profile of restless leg syndrome and its effect on sleep and quality of life

Agrata Sharma et al. J Family Med Prim Care. 2025 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Restless leg syndrome is a sensorimotor disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations primarily involving lower limb but may involve trunk, neck and upper limb. The present study analyzed the clinical profile of RLS patients and explored its association with sleep and quality of life.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients diagnosed of RLS based on the IRLSSG (International RLS Study Group) diagnostic criteria. Severity of RLS was assessed using the IRLSSG rating scale. Sleep quality, daytime sleepiness, and quality of life were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and RLS Quality Of Life Scale (RLSQOL).

Results: We enrolled 133 participants, of mean age 45.9 ± 15.2 years and 57.14% (76) being females. Different sensory-motor complaints were present, predominant sensory complaints being pain in 56.39% (75) and motor complaint being excessive movements (78.20% (104)). 80.45% (107) of individuals had sleep complaints including delayed onset sleep, repeated awakening, and nonrefreshing sleep. Excessive daytime sleepiness was present in 56.39% (75), and 78.2% (104) were poor sleepers. Upper limb was involved in 12.78% (17) of patients. Symptoms were majorly bilateral, but 6.02% (8) of patients had unilateral symptoms. RLSQOL score was 35.23 ± 10.3, and there was significant deterioration of sleep quality as well as quality of life with the increasing severity of RLS.

Conclusion: RLS remains an underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, and undertreated clinical entity which has a negative effect on individuals' sleep as well as quality of life. Early detection of RLS by primary care physician will not only reduce the morbidity but also enhance the QOL of these individuals.

Keywords: IRLSSG-International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group criteria; RLS and epworth sleepiness scale; RLS and quality of life; RLs and sleep quality on Pittsburgh sleep quality index; restless legs syndrome clinical profile.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

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