Who Develops Restless Legs Syndrome?

RLS symptoms may occur secondary to another condition but the majority of patients have primary (of unknown aetiology) RLS.

Various, large scale analyses have revealed that adults of all ages may be affected by RLS but the prevalence increases with age. RLS typically presents in middle age but symptoms may date back to childhood years when symptoms may have been wrongly diagnosed as "growing pains" or "hyperactivity". Many patients diagnosed with the disorder report experiencing symptoms before the age of 20 years. More than 60% of patients with RLS report that their symptoms become progressively worse with age so symptoms may have been present for many years before medical attention was sought. Patients may experience increasing daytime fatigue as symptoms get worse and sleep becomes more fragmented often due to PLMS.

There is evidence from large study groups in the US and Europe that suggest that RLS is associated with a higher body-mass index, lower income, smoking, lack of exercise, low alcohol consumption and diabetes mellitus. Women may be affected marginally more often than men and the disorder may have different frequencies in different ethnic and national groups. Recent evidence suggests a higher incidence amongst patients with somatic complaints (including cardiac problems and hypertension) and it is hypothesised in those with neuropsychiatric symptoms.

	Fact: The syndrome of resless leggs was first described by the English anatomist and physician Thomas Willis (1621-1675)

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