Restless legs syndrome and quality of life in pregnant women

SUMMARY

OBJECTIVE:

In this study, we aimed to determine the extent of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in pregnant women and evaluate the relationship between the syndrome and quality of life.

METHODS:

This is a cross-sectional descriptive study. A questionnaire developed by the researcher, the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Questionnaire to measure the quality of life, the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) Diagnostic Criteria for RLS and the Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale were applied to the women to collect the data. A total of 250 pregnant women were included in the study.

RESULTS:

The mean age of the women was 28.11 ± 5.59 years and the mean gestational time was 26.26 ± 10.72 weeks. Symptoms of RLS were seen in 46.4 % of the women. The mean for the RLS Violence Rating Score was 20.82 ± 6.61 for the women with RLS. RLS was found to be mild in 5.2 % of the women, moderate in 45.7 %, severe in 40.5 % and very severe in 8.6 %. A statistically significant effect of RLS survival on quality of life was observed.

CONCLUSION:

These results indicate that almost half of the pregnant women in this study experienced RLS, and about half of those with RLS experienced severe or very severe RLS. There is a significant relationship between RLS and six domains of SF-36 (physical, role limitations, pain, general health perception, energy/vitality, and mental health).

KEYWORDS:
Restless legs syndrome; Quality of life; Pregnancy

RESUMO

OBJETIVO:

Neste estudo, objetivamos determinar a extensão da síndrome das pernas inquietas (SPI) em gestantes e avaliar a relação da síndrome com a qualidade de vida.

MÉTODOS:

Este é um estudo descritivo transversal. Um questionário desenvolvido pelo pesquisador, o Questionário Short Form 36 (SF-36) para medir a qualidade de vida, o Grupo Internacional de Síndrome das Pernas Inquietas (IRLSSG) Critérios de Diagnóstico para SPI e a Escala de Avaliação da Síndrome das Pernas Inquietas foram administrados às mulheres para coletar os dados. Um total de 250 gestantes foi incluído no estudo.

RESULTADOS:

A média de idade das mulheres foi de 28,11 ± 5,59 e a média das semanas gestacionais da gestação foi de 26,26 ± 10,72. Os sintomas da SPI foram observados em 46,4% das mulheres. A média para o Índice de Violência da RLS foi de 20,82 ± 6,61 para as mulheres com SPI. A SPI foi discreta em 5,2% das mulheres, moderada em 45,7%, grave em 40,5% e muito grave em 8,6%. Um efeito estatisticamente significativo da sobrevida da SPI na qualidade de vida foi observado (p<0,005).

CONCLUSÃO:

Estes resultados indicam que quase metade das mulheres grávidas neste estudo experimentou a SPI, e cerca de metade das pessoas com SPI experimentou SPI grave ou muito grave. Existe uma relação significativa entre a SPI e seis domínios do SF-36 (físico, limitação de papéis, dor, percepção geral de saúde, energia/vitalidade e saúde mental).

PALAVRAS-CHAVE:
Síndrome das pernas inquietas; Qualidade de vida; Gravidez

INTRODUCTION

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensory and motor disorder characterized by uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations which lead to a strong and irresistible urge to move one's leg and occur during periods of inactivity, generally during sleep.¹ RLS prevalence has been reported to range from 2 to 15%.^2,3 A community-based study found a RLS prevalence of 3.19% in Turkey.⁴

The prevalence of RLS increases with age and is two times more common in women than in men.³ The reason for this gender difference has not been explained accurately; however, it is considered that it may be due to hormonal changes during the periods of pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause.⁵ Minar et al.⁶ confirmed the relatively high prevalence of RLS in pregnant women compared with the general population. They found that more than 30% of positive cases had clinically significant symptoms, and 50% reported sleep disturbances.

Pregnancy is reported as a significant risk factor which may precipitate and worsen RLS.⁷ RLS affects up to one-third of pregnant women, peaks in the third trimester and usually subsides after delivery.^6,8–10 History of RLS before conception, RLS during a previous pregnancy, coffee consumption before pregnancy, peptic ulcer disease, hemoglobin < 11 g/dl, and inadequate supplementation of iron and folate during pregnancy, particularly when there is iron deficiency, were found to be risk factors for the development of RLS during pregnancy.^11,12 Hormonal factors are thought to play a role in the manifestation and development of RLS, especially during pregnancy.¹³ It has been suggested that high estradiol, increased prolactin and increased progesterone during pregnancy may trigger RLS.¹⁴ Thyroid hormone levels tend to rise during the third trimester. A negative relationship has been found between thyroid hormones and dopamine that indicates they can take part in the etiology of RLS.¹⁵ Thus, dietary and hormonal factors have been found to be associated with RLS during pregnancy.

The World Health Organization's (WHO) broad and multidimensional definition of quality of life (QoL) incorporates physical, psychological, social, and environmental aspects of life and emphasizes the individual, subjective appraisals.¹⁶ The construct of HRQoL enables the evaluation of how a health condition influences a person's perception of QoL. The concept assesses the impact of mental and physical health status on different areas in a person's life.¹⁷ Pregnancy is a process that creates significant anatomical, physiological, and biochemical changes in a woman's life. These changes affect the physical and emotional behaviors of women and can lead to decreased health-related quality of life. Moreover, some complications such as RLS can lead to decreased health-related quality of life in pregnancy.¹⁸ Individuals with RLS sometimes avoid participating in social activities and can experience chronic sleep disorders and psychiatric problems such as depression and anxiety disorders. Furthermore, Ramirez et al.¹⁹ showed a high possibility of pregnant women who had symptoms of RLS developing pre-eclampsia. Meharaban et al.¹³ reported that pregnancies complicated by RLS are at increased risk for preterm birth. It was found that compared to pregnant women without RLS, those with RLS were more likely to have poor sleep quality, poor daytime function, and excessive daytime sleepiness.²⁰ Therefore, RLS has significant impacts on daily life and quality of life. Although RLS is related to reduced quality of life and poor sleep in the general population, data on RLS-associated maternal sleep-wake disturbances are lacking.²¹ Prior reports have linked sleep-wake disturbances to adverse pregnancy and delivery outcomes (e.g., preterm delivery, prolonged labor, cesarean section deliveries, and postpartum depression).²² Terzi et al.²³ found a significant difference between RLS and obstructive sleep apnea symptoms (witnessed apnea and fatigue) in pregnant women. In order to suggest solutions to the problems experienced by pregnant women, it is important to determine these problems and their effects on pregnancy during follow-up, care, and counseling services for pregnant women. There are studies in the literature regarding the increase in the frequency of RLS in the past^8,10,24,25; but there are limited studies evaluating the relationship between RLS and quality of life.^6,24,26,27 RLS is often underestimated and undiagnosed in pregnancy and can lead to a lower quality of life. Thus, it becomes significant to research RLS and its relationship with quality of life in pregnant women. The study findings will provide guidance for planning interventions to improve quality of life in pregnant women with RLS.

METHODS

Purpose and Design of the Study

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study that aimed to determine the extent of RLS in pregnant women and to evaluate its relationship with quality of life.

Population and Sample of the Study

The study population consisted of 2,900 pregnant women who applied to gynecology and obstetrics outpatient clinics in Karabük University Training and Research Hospital between 2015 and 2016. In order to determine the sample size, a power analysis was conducted (sample error: 0.01 and power: 95%), and the prevalence of RLS was accepted as 19-26 %.^8,10 The minimum number of people to be included in the study sample was calculated as 208. A total of 250 pregnant women were included in the study. In order to homogenize the sample group and remove as much as possible the factors that affect the quality of life outside the RLS, all women who were literate, had no chronic or psychiatric disease, did not have a high-risk pregnancy, and agreed to participate in the study were enrolled.

Data collection instruments

The data were collected using a questionnaire form that was developed by the researcher based on a literature review.^7,9,28 We evaluated the sociodemographic (9 questions) and pregnancy (5 questions) features of the participants. We administered the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Questionnaire to measure the quality of life, and the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) Diagnostic Criteria for RLS to evaluate the presence of RLS in all of the pregnant women. We then administered the Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale to the pregnant women who fulfilled diagnostic criteria for RLS.

IRLSSG Diagnostic Criteria for RLS: This questionnaire was developed in 1995 based on the experiences of patients and includes 5 questions. Patients who respond “yes” to all five questions are diagnosed with RLS.⁹ The reliability and validity study of the Turkish version of the questionnaire was conducted by Sevim et al.⁴, and Cronbach's alpha coefficient was above 0.81 for each item.

The Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale was developed by IRLSSG.⁹ It includes 10 items which are scored from none (score 0) to very severe (score 4). The minimum and maximum scores obtained on the scale are 0 and 40, respectively. The severity is classified as mild (score 0-10), moderate (score 11-20), severe (score 21-30), and very severe (score 31-40). The Turkish version of the scale was found valid and reliable and has been used in many studies in Turkey.^2,28,29 In our study, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.823 for the scale.

The Short Form-36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) is one of the most frequently used instruments to measure the quality of life. It was developed and presented by Rand Corporation in 1992.²⁸ The first version of the questionnaire used in the 1990s and was composed of 149 items. Then, the 20-item SF-20 health survey was developed based on the results from more than 22,000 patients in studies, which loaded factor analyses. However, in order to enhance its extent and psychometric features, the number of items was increased to 36, and the SF-36 was developed. This 36-item questionnaire measures quality of life across eight dimensions, which are physical functioning (10 items), role limitations due to physical problems (4 items), role limitations due to emotional problems (3 items), social functioning (2 items), mental health (5 items), energy/vitality (4 items), pain (2 items) and general health perception (5 items).²⁸ It is completed in response to how the patients have felt in the last 4 weeks and scored on a Likert-type scale (3-6 Likert type), except for the 4th and 5th items, which are responded to with “yes” or “no”.³⁰ The questionnaire does not have a total score; however, each subscale has a total score, and the scores range from 0 to 100. A score of 100 indicates good health and a score of 0 indicates poor health.²⁸ The reliability and validity study of the Turkish version of SF-36 was conducted by Koçyiğit et al.³⁰ with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient between 0.73 and 0.76. The SF-36 is used to measure the quality of life in pregnant women both in Turkey and across the world.^31,32 In our study, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was found to range between 0.62 and 0.87 for the scale.

Procedure

The data collection instruments were administered to pregnant women in a face-to-face interview with the researcher. The data were collected in a calm environment in outpatient clinics, after or before the examination of the patient. It took approximately 20-25 minutes to complete the instruments per person. The questionnaire form, the SF-36, and the RLS criteria form were administered to all of the pregnant women. The RLS Rating Scale was administered only to the women fulfilling diagnostic criteria for RLS.

Data Analysis

The data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0 (Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 24.0, for Windows) and values below 0.05 (p < 0.05) were accepted as statistically significant. Normality of the data was tested by performing the Shapiro-Wilk test. The comparison of variables with a normal distribution was tested by performing multiple comparison tests and Student t-test to compare the means of two independent groups. The Student t-test was used to determine the statistical relationship between RLS living conditions and SF-36 quality of life scale scores, and RLS severity and SF-36 quality-of-life scale scores.

Ethical Aspect of the Study

Before data collection began, we obtained ethics approval from the General Secretariat of the Association of Public Hospitals in Karabük (reference number 88919140/604.99) and Gazi University Ethics Committee (reference number issue:77082166-302.08.01-E.15258, date: 30.12.2016), and written consent from the pregnant women participating in the study. The pregnant women who were identified as having RLS were referred to a neurologist.

RESULTS

The pregnant women's mean age was 28.11 ± 5.59 years; their mean gestation time was 26.26 ± 10.72 weeks. Among the women, 36.4 % were between 18-25 years, 50.8 % aged between 26-35 years, 12.8 % between 36-45 years, 30.8 % graduated from high school, 82.8 % were unemployed, 58.4 % perceived their economic level as moderate and poor, and 77.2 % were living in a city.

In total, 46.4 % of the pregnant women were found to meet diagnostic criteria for RLS, and among them, 5.2 % had mild RLS, 45.7 % had moderate RLS, 40.5 % had severe RLS, and 8.6 % had very severe RLS.

The mean scores of the participants for the SF-36 subscales were 58.04 ± 23.35 for physical functioning, 25.10 ± 33.86 for role limitations due to physical problems, 68.39 ± 24.93 for pain, 67.10 ± 22.30 for general health perception, 46.64 ± 24.57 for energy/vitality, 64.20 ± 27.93 for social functioning, 49.20 ± 39.20 for role limitations due to emotional problems and 77.52 ± 19.73 for mental health.

There were significant differences found in mean physical functioning, role limitations (physical), pain, general health perception, energy/vitality and mental health scores between the women with and without RLS (p < 0.05). The pregnant women with RLS had lower scores on physical functioning (50.09 ± 23.078), role limitations (physical) (17.89 ± 29.637), pain (63.09 ± 24.296), general health perception (63.97 ± 22.552), energy/vitality (38.75 ± 20.683) and mental health (74.55 ± 21.352) than those without RLS (Table 1).

TABLE 1
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RLS AND SF-36 SUBSCALE SCORES (N=250)

SF-36 Subscale Scores
	Physical Functioning	Role Limitations (Physical)	Pain	General Health Perception	Vitality (Energy)	Social Functioning	Role Limitations (Emotional)	Mental Health
With RLS (n=116)	50.09±23.078	17.89±29.637	63.09±24.296	63.97±22.552	38.75±20.683	62.07±26.679	45.40±40.144	74.55±21.352
Without RLS (n=134)	64.93±21.390	31.34±36.103	72.97±24.654	69.81±21.808	53.47±25.680	66.04±28.947	52.49±38.209	80.09±17.905
Statistics	t: -5.273 p: 0.001*	t: -3.235 p: 0.001*	t: -3.180 p: 0.002*	t: -2.079 p: 0.039*	t: -5.107 p: 0.001*	t: -1.123 p: 0.263	t: -1.428 p: 0.154	t: -2.230 p: 0.027*

• P<0.005,
• ^*
  Student t-Test

There was a significant relationship between RLS severity and all SF-36 subscale scores, except the subscales “mental health” and “general health perception” (p < 0.005). The women with mild and moderate RLS had higher scores on the subscales physical functioning (p = 0.001), role limitations due to physical health (p = 0.002), pain (p = 0.001), energy/vitality (p = 0.001), social functioning (p = 0.023) and role limitations due to emotional problems (p = 0.035) than those with severe and very severe RLS (Table 2).

TABLE 2
CORRELATION BETWEEN RLS SEVERITY AND SF-36 SUBSCALE SCORES OF PREGNANT WOMEN WITH RLS (N=116)

SF-36 Subscale Scores
	Physical Functioning	Role Limitations (Physical)	Pain	General Health Perception	Vitality (Energy)	Social Functioning	Role Limitations (Emotional)	Mental Health
Mild and Moderate (n=59)	58.47± 21.36	26.27 ± 33.93	73.63 ± 21.17	67.46 ± 18.48	45.76 ± 19.23	67.58 ± 23.69	53.11 ± 36.68	77.49 ± 18.54
Severe and Very Severe (n=57)	41.4 ± 21.69	9.21 ± 21.46	52.19 ± 22.58	60.35 ± 25.78	31.49 ± 19.75	56.36 ± 28.56	37.43 ± 42.29	71.51 ± 23.70
Statistics	t: 4.271 p: 0.001*	t: 3.248 p: 0.002*	t: 5.275 p: 0.001*	t: 1.701 p:0.092	t: 3.943 p: 0.001*	t: 2.308 p: 0.023*	t: 2.135 p: 0.035*	t: 1.511 p: 0.134

• P<0.005.
• ^*
  Student T-Test

DISCUSSION

RLS, which is common in society, is a condition that causes an urge to move one's legs and leads to restlessness in extremities. Prevalence of RLS is reported at about 10% in the general population³³ and 11-26% in pregnant women.^8,10 Yüksel et al.⁹ found a prevalence of RLS of 44.6% among pregnant women in their study. In our study, the RLS prevalence was found to be 46.4% for the pregnant women; thus, results in our study are higher than the RLS rates seen among pregnant women in the general population. Similarly, Telarovic et al.²⁴ reported that the frequency of RLS was found to be significantly higher in pregnant women when compared to non-pregnant women. The RLS prevalence in pregnancy has been reported between 10 and 34% worldwide in the literature.^6,25,34 It is reported that RLS affects up to one-third of pregnant women, peaks in the third trimester, and usually subsides after delivery.⁶ However, in a study conducted with 231 pregnant women by Meharaban et al.¹³, the prevalence was found to be 47.3 % for RLS. The results of our study are consistent with the literature. Our study has revealed that almost half of pregnant women experience RLS during pregnancy.

When assessing RLS severity, we found that the women's mean RLS severity score was 20.82 ± 6.61, and 49.1 % of these women experienced severe or very severe RLS. In a previous study, 53.5 % of pregnant women were reported to have severe and very severe RLS,³⁵ and in another, 74.7 % were reported to have moderate RLS.²⁵ Minar et al.⁶ found that more than 30 % of positive cases had clinically significant symptoms. Our study findings are similar to the literature in Turkey and worldwide, revealing that about half of pregnant women experience RLS and that half of these cases are severe. When the negative effects created by RLS in pregnancy (poor sleep quality, poor daytime function, excessive daytime sleepiness, pre-eclampsia, preterm birth) and adverse effects of sleep problems created by the RLS (preterm delivery, prolonged labor, cesarean section deliveries, and postpartum depression) are considered, the necessity of screening pregnant women in Turkey for RLS becomes clear.^13,19,20,22

RLS is often underestimated and undiagnosed in pregnancy and can lead to a lower quality of life. It is commonly associated with pregnancy, and its symptoms negatively impact the quality of life in pregnant women.⁶ Sleep disturbance, tiredness during the day^34,36, leg cramps and anxiety due to RLS^13,37 may impair quality of life among individuals with RLS. Studies have shown that the use of estrogen for reducing sleep problems is effective in RLS^38,39. However, the use of estrogen is not favorable in pregnancy. In our study, statistically significant differences were found between the women with and without RLS in the mean scores of the subscales (physical functioning, role limitations (physical), pain, general health perception, energy/vitality, and mental health) of the SF-36 scale (p < 0.05). Pregnant women with RLS were found to have a poorer quality of life compared to those without RLS with regard to these subscales. In addition, we found a significant relationship between RLS severity and all SF-36 subscale scores, except subacalesfor “mental health” and “general health perception” (p < 0.005). Pregnant women with mild and moderate RLS scored higher on the subscales of physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health, pain, energy/vitality, social functioning, and role limitations due to emotional problems than those with severe and very severe RLS. Similarly, Telarovic et al.²⁴ reported that analysis of different variables determining QoS and quality of life showed consistently significantly lower values for the group of RLS-positive pregnant women compared to pregnant women without neurological disorders. Allen et al.²¹ stated in their population-based study that quality of life of among people with RLS was affected in all domains of the SF-36 scale. In another study with women of reproductive age, Güzel et al.²⁸ found that women with RLS scored lower on all SF-36 subscales than those without RLS, and these women with RLS had a poor quality of life. Similarly, Ghanei- Gheshlagh et al.²⁷ reported that quality of life in women with restless legs syndrome was lower than in healthy pregnant women. Our findings are consistent with the literature. All in all, it is considered that RLS and the severity of symptoms negatively affect the quality of life in pregnant women.

Strength and Limitations

This is the first study carried out to explore the relationship between RLS and quality of life in pregnant women in Turkey and is considered to be a guide for further studies. Nevertheless, it has some limitations which include the following: (1) The population is limited, so the results can only be generalized to this population; (2) The data were based on self-reporting of the pregnant women, and not observed by the researcher; and (3) Laboratory tests or imaging studies were not used to evaluate RLS in the pregnant women; and (4) Quality of life is a complex structure influenced by socioeconomic factors. Although there is a statistically significant association between RLS and quality of life, quality of life may be affected by other factors associated with pregnancy. The fact that the changes in pregnancy cannot be excluded as a source of impaired quality of life is among the limitations of this study.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that almost half of the pregnant women studied experience RLS and about half of those experience severe or very severe RLS. The women's quality of life is poor regarding role limitations due to physical health and is moderate regarding other subscales. There is a significant relationship between RLS and six domains of the SF-36 (physical functioning, role limitations [physical], pain, general health perception, energy/vitality, and mental health). Therefore, pregnant women with RLS have a poorer quality of life compared to those without RLS, regarding these domains. Additionally, there is a negative correlation between RLS severity and all SF-36 subscales, except for “mental health” and “general health perception,” which indicates that an increase in RLS severity is accompanied by a decrease in quality of life.

Based on these findings, we recommend that regular monitoring of pregnancy should include an evaluation for RLS. Health professionals should plan interventions to improve quality of life in pregnant women with RLS (such as smoking cessation, nutrition education, sleep hygiene), and further studies should be carried out to investigate the relationship between RLS and quality of life with larger sample size and in different groups.

Acknowledgments

We gratefully thank Sultan Özkan Şat for her help in this study and the pregnant women who participated in this study.

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  03 June 2019
• Date of issue
  2019

History

• Received
  28 Nov 2018
• Accepted
  31 Dec 2018