Jana Martinková, Mária Juračičová, Gonzalo Alonzo Ramos Rivera, Peter Valkovič, Ján Benetin
Introduction: The aim of this pilot study was to characterize epidemiology of restless legs syndrome (RLS). This study was performed on the sample of patients and their accompanied persons during waiting in front of specialized outpatient clinic. This clinic is profiled for movement disorders and it also works as electromyography lab. Subjects and methods: Two hundreds and fifty three subjects participated. All participants were firstly asked to complete a brief questionnaire, focused on demographic data and four essential diagnostic criteria for RLS according to the International RLS Study Group. If subject responded positively to all four diagnostic questions, he/she was classified as a potential RLS sufferer. Consecutively he/she underwent a second part of questionnaire that was applied by physician or trained nurse. This part was focused on RLS verification and its more precise characterization. If subject did not respond to all four diagnostic questions positively, he was classified as not suffering from RLS. Results: Diagnostic criteria for RLS fulfilled altogether 30 % of respondents (in men 24 %, in women 35 %). Thirty eight per cent of them indicated everyday occurrence of RLS symptoms. Twenty seven per cent, however, referred symptoms less than once monthly. RLS symptoms started in average at age of 44 ± 8 years, and their mean duration since diagnosis was 16 ± 9 years. Sleep disorders were present in 48 % of RLS sufferers. Family history was positive in 50.7 % of subjects with RLS. Conclusion: RLS is condition with very high prevalence. Affected people mostly do not recognized this as disease, thus chronically suffer. Detection of these people by means of simple questionnaire method is very effective. We highly recommend applying this approach in broader clinical routine.