Korean J Rehabil Nurs.  2018 Dec;21(2):91-99. 10.7587/kjrehn.2018.91.

Relationship of Restless Legs Syndrome Symptom, Sleep Disturbance and Depression in Middle-aged Women

• Suh YO
• Moon SS
• Lee KW

• KMID: 2437256
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7587/kjrehn.2018.91

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate relationships between the symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), sleep disturbance and depression among middle-aged women.
METHODS
The study took a descriptive approach. A self-reported questionnaire was provided to women aged between 45 and 65 living in community area. The data were analyzed via SPSS program (version 25).
RESULTS
47.8% of the respondents showed moderate to severe RLS symptoms and the severity of RLS symptoms was 10.72. Depression score was 13.12 and sleep disturbance score was 4.97. There was a significant correlation between RLS symptoms and sleep disturbance (r=.423, p < .001), and RLS symptoms had a positive impact on sleep disturbance. There was also a significant correlation between RLS symptoms and depression (r=.494, p < .001) and RLS symptoms also had a positive impact on depression.
CONCLUSION
Women with RLS symptoms had more severe sleep disturbance, depression and vasomotor syndrome than those without RLS symptoms. If RLS symptoms among middle-aged women is simply diagnosed as a menopausal symptom, this misdiagnosis can lead to sleep disorder and depression. Therefore, further empirical researches should be done to estimate the prevalence of RLS symptoms and to launch a program to detect RLS at the early stage.

Keyword

Restless legs syndrome; Sleep; Depression; Women

MeSH Terms

Depression*
Diagnostic Errors
Empirical Research
Female
Humans
Prevalence
Restless Legs Syndrome*
Sleep Wake Disorders
Surveys and Questionnaires