HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) Correspondence: Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when Correspondence are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Sevim, S. Articles by Helvaci, I. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Sevim, S. Articles by Helvaci, I. Related Collections Narcolepsy All epidemiology Prevalence studies

Unexpectedly low prevalence and unusual characteristics of RLS in Mersin, Turkey

From the Departments of Neurology (Drs. Sevim, Dogu, Kaleagasi, and Aral), Biostatistics (Dr. Çamdeviren, I. Helvaci), and Public Health (Drs. Bugdayci and Sasmaz), Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Turkey.

Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. S. Sevim, Sakarya Cad. M. Tanriover Apt. 4/17, 33070 Mersin, Turkey; e-mail: serhansevim{at}mail.koc.net

Objective: To determine the prevalence, risk factors, and clinical presentation of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in a Turkish population.

Methods: A face-to-face, population-based epidemiologic survey was conducted. Multistep, stratified, cluster, and systematic samplings were used. A total of 3,234 adults were interviewed.

Results: Of the 3,234 participants, 103 (3.19%) experienced RLS. This prevalence rate is lower than those of other epidemiologic studies conducted among European and North American populations. RLS was found to be more common among women, cigarette smokers, and individuals residing in high altitudes. The self-reported mental and general health status of patients was worse than in the control subjects. The prevalence of RLS did not differ by age or body mass index.

Conclusion: The discrepancy in RLS prevalence studies (including the authors’) suggests that prevalence varies among different races, thus supporting a genetic predisposition.

Received March 22, 2003. Accepted in final form August 13, 2003.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. Picchietti, R. P. Allen, A. S. Walters, J. E. Davidson, A. Myers, and L. Ferini-Strambi Restless Legs Syndrome: Prevalence and Impact in Children and Adolescents The Peds REST Study Pediatrics, August 1, 2007; 120(2): 253 - 266. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. E. Gamaldo and C. J. Earley Restless legs syndrome: a clinical update. Chest, November 1, 2006; 130(5): 1596 - 1604. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. R. Castillo, J. Kaplan, S.-C. Lin, P. A. Fredrickson, and M. W. Mahowald Prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome Among Native South Americans Residing in Coastal and Mountainous Areas Mayo Clin. Proc., October 1, 2006; 81(10): 1345 - 1347. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F. Tison, A. Crochard, D. Leger, S. Bouee, E. Lainey, and A. El Hasnaoui Epidemiology of restless legs syndrome in French adults: A nationwide survey: The INSTANT Study Neurology, July 26, 2005; 65(2): 239 - 246. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Hogl, S. Kiechl, J. Willeit, M. Saletu, B. Frauscher, K. Seppi, J. Muller, G. Rungger, A. Gasperi, G. Wenning, et al. Restless legs syndrome: A community-based study of prevalence, severity, and risk factors Neurology, June 14, 2005; 64(11): 1920 - 1924. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]