Survey of restless legs syndrome in a pulmonary hypertension population

The prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) varies from 5% to 24% in the general population and is associated with a variety of medical disorders. However, the association between RLS and pulmonary hypertension (PH) is unknown.

To determine the prevalence of RLS in PH patients.

A cross-sectional questionnaire was given to patients with PH who attended the Pulmonary Hypertension Association conference. We used the RLS Diagnostic Index questionnaire. Demographic data included age, gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), medication list, PH World Health Organization (WHO) diagnosis group and current WHO functional class.

The study included 128 PH patients. Most were females (86.8%) with a mean age of 49.68 years [standard deviation (SD) 14.24]. The mean BMI was 31.3 (SD 20.46). One hundred and twenty-one patients (93.75%) were classified as WHO group 1 (pulmonary arterial hypertension). Three patients were identified in WHO group 3 (hypoxemic states), four patients in group 4 (chronic thromboemboli) and one patient in group 5 (2.3%, 3.1% and 0.8%, respectively). Definite RLS was found in 16 of 128 patients with PH resulting in a prevalence of 12.5%, possible RLS in 39 of 128 patients (30.46%) and no RLS in 73 (57.03%) patients.

The prevalence of RLS is not increased in PH. There is a high prevalence of possible RLS in our study. The overall prevalence of combined definite and possible RLS is significant. Future research is needed to assess more patients with PH and the association or correlation with RLS.