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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

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Open Access 01-12-2011 | Research

Psychological distress of patients suffering from restless legs syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Hanna Scholz, Heike Benes, Svenja Happe, Juergen Bengel, Ralf Kohnen, Magdolna Hornyak

Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes | Issue 1/2011

Abstract

Background

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a chronic disorder with substantial impact on quality of life similar to that seen in diabetes mellitus or osteoarthritis. Little is known about the psychological characteristics of RLS patients although psychological factors may contribute to unfavourable treatment outcome.

Methods

In an observational cross-sectional design, we evaluated the psychological features of 166 consecutive RLS patients from three outpatient clinics, by means of the Symptom Checklist 90-R (SCL-90-R) questionnaire. Additionally, the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the International RLS Severity Scale (IRLS) were measured. Both treated and untreated patients were included, all patients sought treatment.

Results

Untreated patients (n = 69) had elevated but normal scores on the SCL-90-R Global Severity Index (GSI; p = 0.002) and on the sub-scales somatisation (p < 0.001), compulsivity (p = 0.003), depression (p = 0.02), and anxiety (p = 0.004) compared with a German representative sample. In the treated group, particularly in those patients who were dissatisfied with their actual treatment (n = 62), psychological distress was higher than in the untreated group with elevated scores for the GSI (p = 0.03) and the sub-scales compulsivity (p = 0.006), depression (p = 0.012), anxiety (p = 0.031), hostility (p = 0.013), phobic anxiety (p = 0.024), and paranoid ideation (p = 0.012). Augmentation, the most serious side effect of dopaminergic, i.e. first-line treatment of RLS, and loss of efficacy were accompanied with the highest psychological distress, as seen particularly in the normative values of the sub-scales compulsivity and anxiety. Generally, higher RLS severity was correlated with higher psychological impairment (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Severely affected RLS patients show psychological impairment in multiple psychological domains which has to be taken into account in the treatment regimen.

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Title: Psychological distress of patients suffering from restless legs syndrome: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hanna Scholz
Heike Benes
Svenja Happe
Juergen Bengel
Ralf Kohnen
Magdolna Hornyak
Publication date: 01-12-2011
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7525
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-9-73

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Psychological distress of patients suffering from restless legs syndrome: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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