Who is affected by restless legs syndrome

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Who is affected by restless legs syndrome

Approximately 5% to 15% of adults are affected by symptoms ofrestless legs syndrome.¹ The condition may also occur in children, although the symptoms may not be recognized. Most people diagnosed with restless legs syndrome are middle-aged and older.

Episodes usually occur sporadically in early adulthood, gradually increasing in frequency. After age 50, many people with this condition have daily occurrences.²

Some estimates suggest that restless legs syndrome affects twice as many women as men. Approximately 10% to 20% of women develop it during pregnancy,³ although it usually goes away without treatment soon after the baby is born.

References

Citations

1. Murphy BS (2000). Restless legs syndrome. In RE Rakel, ed., Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, 2nd ed., pp. 1031–1032. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.

2. Allen RP, Earley CJ (2001). Restless legs syndrome: A review of clinical and pathophysiologic features. Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology, 18(2): 128–147.

3. Pack AM, Morrell MJ (2005). Neurologic disease during pregnancy. In LP Rowland, ed., Merritt's Neurology, 11th ed., pp. 1116–1117. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

Credits

Last updated:	April 04, 2007
Author:	Cynthia Tank
Reviewed By:	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, Karin M. Lindholm, DO - Neurology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman