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01-12-2021 | Restless Legs Syndrome | Neurology • Original Article

Prevalence of restless leg syndrome and effects on quality of life during pregnancy

Authors: Nazan Tuna Oran, Esma Yuksel, Sebnem Ruzgar

Published in: Sleep and Breathing | Issue 4/2021

Abstract

Purpose

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a movement disorder which constitutes the most common and major risk group during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to determine prevalence and severity of RLS during pregnancy and to investigate the effect of RLS on quality of life in pregnant women.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in antenatal clinics of four different public hospitals. Data collected were pregnancy assessment form, RLS diagnostic criteria form, RLS severity scale, and SF-12 quality of life scale.

Results

Among 718 pregnant women, mean age was 28.3±5.9 years (range 19 to 45). According to the diagnostic criteria of RLS, RLS prevalence was 22% (n=159). Of the 159 women with RLS, 41% had moderate severity and 40% had severe RLS. Prevalence of RLS in pregnant women increased with gestational week, working time during pregnancy, weight before pregnancy, total weight gain during pregnancy, and pre-pregnancy body mass index. Physical health scores, physical functioning scores, pain scores, emotional role difficulty scores, and social function scores were significantly lower in the pregnant women with RLS than without RLS (p <0.05).

Conclusions

Approximately one-fifth of the pregnant women had RLS, mostly in the third trimester, and the severity of RLS was predominantly moderate and severe. Pregnant women with RLS had poorer quality of life than pregnant women without RLS.

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Title: Prevalence of restless leg syndrome and effects on quality of life during pregnancy
Authors: Nazan Tuna Oran
Esma Yuksel
Sebnem Ruzgar
Publication date: 01-12-2021
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keyword: Restless Legs Syndrome
Published in: Sleep and Breathing / Issue 4/2021
Print ISSN: 1520-9512
Electronic ISSN: 1522-1709
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11325-021-02311-5

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Prevalence of restless leg syndrome and effects on quality of life during pregnancy

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