Incidence of restless legs syndrome in two population-based cohort studies in Germany

Abstract Objectives Prospective data about the new-onset of restless legs syndrome (RLS) are lacking. Our aim was to assess the incidence rate of RLS in the general population. Methods RLS, defined by the minimal diagnostic criteria, was assessed twice in two independently conducted prospective popu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Sleep medicine 2011-10, Vol.12 (9), p.815-820
Main Authors: Szentkiralyi, Andras, Fendrich, Konstanze, Hoffmann, Wolfgang, Happe, Svenja, Berger, Klaus
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Age Distribution
Aged
Cohort Studies
Cohort study
Comorbidity
Epidemiology
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Gender
General population
Germany - epidemiology
Humans
Incidence
Male
Middle Aged
Neurology
Prevalence
Prospective Studies
Prospective study
Restless legs syndrome
Restless Legs Syndrome - epidemiology
Sex Distribution
Sleep Medicine
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Abstract Objectives Prospective data about the new-onset of restless legs syndrome (RLS) are lacking. Our aim was to assess the incidence rate of RLS in the general population. Methods RLS, defined by the minimal diagnostic criteria, was assessed twice in two independently conducted prospective population-based cohort studies in Germany. The Dortmund Health Study (DHS) had a mean follow-up of 2.2 years, and included 1312 participants, and the Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP) followed 4308 participants for, on average, 5.2 years. RLS was assessed during face-to-face interviews in both studies at baseline and at follow-up in SHIP, and with mailed questionnaires at follow-up in DHS. Results The age-standardized incidence rate of RLS was 22/1000 person-years (p-y) (cumulative incidence over the follow-up: 9.1%) in DHS and 9/1000 p-y (cumulative incidence: 7.0%) in SHIP. Women had a higher incidence rate than men (DHS: 27/1000 p-y vs. 17/1000 p-y, p = 0.28; SHIP: 12/1000 p-y vs. 7/1000 p-y, p < 0.001). There was a linear increase in RLS incidence rate with age in both studies. The persistence of RLS symptoms from baseline to follow-up was 47.4% in DHS and 41.5% in SHIP. Conclusion The incidence rate of RLS is high, while the persistence of RLS over time is low, suggesting that RLS symptoms vary considerably. The increased RLS incidence rate among women and the elderly is consistent with previous prevalence data.
ISSN:1389-9457
1878-5506
DOI:10.1016/j.sleep.2011.06.016