SEVERITY OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME AMONG PREGNANT FEMALES: A CROSS-SECTIONAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom’s disease, is a neurological movement disorder marked by unpleasant leg sensations and an irresistible urge to move the legs. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, with a two- to three-fold increased risk compared to the general population. The prevalence of RLS tends to peak in the third trimester, contributing to sleep disturbance, mood disruption, and impaired quality of life. Despite growing recognition of this condition, limited data exist on its severity during pregnancy, especially in the later stages.

Objective: To assess the severity of restless legs syndrome among third-trimester pregnant women using a standardized rating scale.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital over six months (July–December 2022). A total of 80 pregnant women in their third trimester, aged 20 to 39 years, with a clinical diagnosis of RLS were included. Women with psychiatric illness, high-risk pregnancies, or unwillingness to participate were excluded. Data were collected using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) Rating Scale, a validated 10-item questionnaire scored from 0 to 40, categorizing severity as mild, moderate, severe, or very severe. Informed consent was obtained, and confidentiality was maintained. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21, with results presented as descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations.

Results: Among the 80 participants, the mean age was 26.76 ± 4.42 years, and the mean weight was 68.43 ± 9.13 kg. Severity assessment revealed that 3.8% of participants had mild RLS, 40.0% moderate, 55.0% severe, and 1.3% very severe. Sleep disturbance was absent in 8.8%, while 20.0% reported mild, 32.5% moderate, 31.3% severe, and 7.5% very severe disturbance. Mood disturbance was absent in 7.5%, mild in 21.3%, moderate in 38.8%, severe in 18.8%, and very severe in 13.8%.

Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the majority of pregnant women in their third trimester experienced RLS at a moderate to severe level, highlighting its considerable impact on maternal well-being. These findings underscore the importance of early recognition and supportive management strategies to improve maternal health outcomes.

Keywords: Depression, Leg Movements, Pregnancy Trimester Third, Quality of Life, Restless Legs Syndrome, Sleep Disorders, Women’s Health