Restless Legs Syndrome and Sleep Problems in Children and Adolescents with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus Type 1

Abstract

The restless legs syndrome (RLS) occurs in adulthood with a prevalence of 5 to 10 % and can be associated with diabetes mellitus. The prevalence in childhood, however, is unknown. We asked consecutive children with type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus as well as their parents and siblings about RLS according to a standardised questionnaire. Altogether, 46 patients (25 female, 12.0 ± 3.7 years), 50 siblings (29 female, 12.3 ± 5.5 years) and 75 parents (41 mothers, 40.4 ± 5.1 years; 34 fathers, 42.5 ± 5.3 years; 1.3 % with diabetes mellitus) were included. One patient (2.2 %), one sibling (2.0 %), and 14 parents (18.7 %) were diagnosed as having RLS. Disturbances of sleep initiating, sleep maintenance and daytime tiredness were similar in patients and siblings. There was a significant association of higher HbA1c values (mean 7.7 ± 2.2 %) with sleep initiating problems. The mean dose of international units of insulin/kg body weight/day (0.79 ± 0.26 IU) was not associated with the presence of RLS or sleep problems. To conclude, there seems to be no association of diabetes mellitus type 1 with RLS in children and adolescents. However, there is a relationship between diabetes and sleep disturbances and an optimally controlled diabetes mellitus might be an important factor for an improved sleep initiation.

Key words

Restless legs syndrome - children - adolescents - diabetes mellitus type 1 - sleep

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