Restless Legs Syndrome and Hypertension in Mexican Women

RLS is a common chronic disorder characterized by an irresistible need to move the lower limbs that affects sleep. Poor sleep has been associated with increased blood pressure (BP). Thus, we evaluated the cross-sectional relationship between RLS and hypertension (HTN) in a large cohort study in Mexico.

In 2011, 54,925 female participants from the Mexican Teachers' Cohort responded to a four-item questionnaire based on the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group's minimal diagnostic criteria. Women also reported diagnosis and treatment of HTN. We used multivariable logistic regression models to estimate prevalence odds ratios (ORs) for HTN, adjusting for lifestyle and dietary factors. We also estimated adjusted prevalence ORs for HTN by frequency of RLS symptoms.

We identified 9,230 cases (17%) of RLS, and the prevalence of HTN was 13.1% among women with RLS and 9.4% among those without RLS. The multivariable-adjusted prevalence OR for HTN comparing women with to those without RLS was 1.18 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10-1.26). Compared to those without RLS, the prevalence OR of HTN in women reporting a symptom frequency of once a month or less was 1.14 (95% CI: 1.00-1.30); among those with symptoms two to four times a month, the OR was 1.17 (95% CI: 1.05-1.30); and for those with symptoms at least two times a week, the OR was 1.22 (95% CI: 1.10-1.35).

We observed an association between RLS and HTN. Future studies should evaluate the impact of treating RLS on BP.