Symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome in A Palliative Care Population: Frequency and Impact. Issue 4 (December 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walia, Harneet K.; Shalhoub, George; Ramsammy, Verai; Harrington, Michael; Thornton, J. Daryl; Auckley, Dennis
• Is Part Of: Journal of palliative care. Volume 29:Issue 4(2013)
• Page Start: 210
• Page End: 216
• Publication Date: 2013-12
• Subjects: restless legs syndrome -- palliative care -- quality of life; Terminal care -- Periodicals; 362.17505
• DOI: 10.1177/082585971302900402
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0825-8597

Abstract

Objectives: We hypothesized that restless legs syndrome (RLS) would be common and associated with impaired quality of life (QOL) among palliative care outpatients. Methods: 76 palliative care clinic patients completed the National Institutes of Health restless legs syndrome (NIH-RLS) screening questionnaire. Questionnaire data was also gathered on RLS severity and RLS-related QOL, and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) was used to measure QOL. Analysis was performed for associations between RLS categorization and QOL measures. Results: 31 patients (40.8 percent) met criteria for RLS. RLS-positive patients had moderate-to-severe RLS symptoms and impaired RLS-specific QOL. RLS-positive patients scored lower on the mental component of the SF–12 (39 ± 11 versus 45 ± 12, p=0.03), though not on the physical component. In a multivariate regression analysis, higher levels of RLS severity had 2-point lower SF-12 mental component scores compared to lower levels of RLS severity (p=0.04), with no difference in physical component scores (p=0.47). Conclusion: RLS appears common in palliative care outpatients and is associated with impairments in QOL.