The frequency of restless legs syndrome and relationship with quality of life among university students

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Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of restless legs syndrome, the severity of symptoms and the relationship between restless legs syndrome and quality of life among university students. Material and Methods: The participant students were asked the four questions essential for a diagnosis of restless legs syndrome and the students who answered ‘yes’ to all four questions were evaluated according to International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) diagnostic criteria by an experienced neurologist and diagnosis was made. The severity of restless legs syndrome was investigated using IRLSSG rating scale and the quality of life was assessed by the Short form-36 (SF-36). Results: A total of 447 students-238 female (53.2%) and 209 male (46.8%)-were included in this study. Restless legs syndrome was diagnosed in 7.6% of the students. Mean restless legs syndrome severity was 13.1 ± 5.44. There were significantly lower levels of the physical and mental component of SF-36 scores in participants with restless legs syndrome compared to in those without restless legs syndrome. There was a negative correlation between the severity of restless legs syndrome and physical component of SF-36. Conclusion: Evaluation of university students in terms of restless legs syndrome, which is not well known in the population and adversely affect the quality of life, may be helpful.

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Restless legs syndrome , quality of life , university students

Cukurova Medical Journal

428

Cukurova Medical Journal