Restless-Legs-Syndrom (RLS) - weit unterdiagnostiziert

Zusammenfassung

Anliegen Die epidemiologische Studie untersuchte in der Allgemeinbevölkerung die Prävalenz des Restless-Legs-Syndroms sowie die Auswirkungen von RLS auf den Gesundheitsstatus. Methoden An Stichproben von 755 Befragten wurde in persönlichen Interviews eine Krankheits- und Medikamentenanamnese erhoben, somatoforme Beschwerden abgefragt sowie die essenziellen RLS-Kriterien überprüft. Ergebnisse Für RLS ergab sich eine Prävalenz von 8,1 %. Bei keinem der RLS-Positiven war die Erkrankung zuvor diagnostiziert worden. Schlussfolgerungen RLS ist in der Allgemeinbevölkerung weit unterdiagnostiziert und geht mit einer Belastung der Gesundheit und des Allgemeinbefindens einher.

Abstract

Objective The aim of this epidemiological study was to assess the prevalence of RLS and its impact on general health. Methods 1-month-prevalence of RLS was assessed by the criteria of the International RLS Study Group. The impact of RLS on health and physical functioning was assessed in face-to-face interviews with checklists of symptoms, ratings on general health perception and the German screening instrument SOMS for somatoform disorders. In addition, participants (n = 755) were asked about their medical record, medication history (over the last 12 months) and associated diagnoses. Results Overall prevalence of RLS was 8.1 %. No participant reported being diagnosed with or treated for RLS. RLS-positives were more likely to suffer from general health problems and revealed more somatic and mental complaints. However, somatoform disorders were only found in 3 persons (< 0,5 %). Conclusion We found RLS to be common, but extremely underdiagnosed in a general German population. RLS seems to have a major impact on general health and quality of life. This supports previous results in population-based and clinic-based studies.

Schlüsselwörter

RLS - Prävalenz - Epidemiologie - Gesundheit

Key words

RLS - prevalence - epidemiology - general health

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