(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study aims to better understand the common condition called restless legs syndrome. Restless legs syndrome is an irritating feeling of uneasiness, tiredness and itching deep in the muscles of the legs. The symptoms can be painful and often worsen at night.

Studies on restless legs syndrome are rare. However, researchers in Germany recently conducted a population-based study to look at the prevalence and factors related to restless legs syndrome.

The study was conducted by doing interviews and physical examinations with 4,310 participants. The participants were between 20 and 79 years old and were randomly selected to participate. Doctors assessed whether each participant had restless legs syndrome and how it affected his or her quality of life.

Researchers report the overall prevalence of restless legs syndrome was 10.6 percent. They found the disease prevalence increased with age and women were twice as likely to have it as men. Also, researchers report the risk of restless legs syndrome increased for women who had children. The more children the woman gave birth to, the more likely she was to have restless legs syndrome. Study authors also report people with restless legs syndrome had significantly lower quality of life scores than those without the syndrome. This means the disease affects the everyday activities of the people who suffer from it.

Study authors conclude restless legs syndrome is a common disease in the general population. They say the disease affects women more than men and is associated with the number of children a woman has given birth to. They feel since restless legs syndrome can be treated effectively, the medical community and the public need to be better educated about this disease.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, 2004;164:196-202

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