Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2012 , Vol 15, Issue 1
RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME IN THE ELDERLY WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS
Sacide Nur SARAÇGİL COŞAR1, Abdullah YOLDAŞ2, Pınar ÖZTOP3, Oya Ümit YEMİŞCİ1, Şehri AYAŞ1
1Başkent Üniversitesi Tıp Fakütesi Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon ANKARA
2İpekyol Devlet Hastanesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon VAN
3Başkent Üniversitesi, Araştırma ve Eğitim Hastanesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon İSTANBUL
Introduction: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a chronic disorder characterized by abnormal sensations in the legs; seen in 10-35% of the elderly. Our objective was to determine the incidence of RLS in the elderly, and to analyze its relationship with clinical and laboratory findings.

Materials and Method: Eighty-eight patients with osteoarhritis aged 65 and higher were included in this study. Patients were evaluated according to the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group criteria and the disease severity was rated by using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group rating scale. The clinical and laboratory findings were evaluated in all patients and a detailed history was obtained.

Results: The incidence of RLS was 18.2%. No significant relationship was found between RLS and the clinical and laboratory parameters evaluated. The incidence of RLS was higher in women (75% of the patients were female).

Conclusion: We conclude that RLS is a prevalent condition in the elderly and is often under diagnosed. Keywords : Restless Legs Syndrome; Osteoarthritis; Aged