K F Ferreira1, A Eckeli, F Dach, M T Schwalbach, J Schwalbach, J G Speciali. 1. Department of Neurosciences and of Behaviour Sciences, Division of Neurology, University of Sao Paulo, Medical School of Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: karenferreira@usp.br.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Because there is only one study to our knowledge on the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in sub-Saharan Africa and RLS is more common in patients with some pain syndromes, we aimed to determine the prevalence of RLS in a population with chronic pain in Maputo, Mozambique. METHODS: Our study was conducted in the Pain Unit of the Central Hospital of Maputo, Mozambique. Patients were individually interviewed by a neurologist, and only those fulfilling the criteria were included. After collection of demographic data and pain features, the patients answered the screening questions regarding RLS. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients with pain were interviewed. Five individuals were excluded. RLS was found in eight (6.77%) of 118 patients. The mean age of the eight patients with RLS was 54.6years. Five patients (62.5%) were women and six (75%) were black individuals. Seven (87.5%) patients were diagnosed with neuropathic pain; one of them had AIDS and another one (12.5%) had orthopedic pain. The presence of hypertension and neuropathies was more frequent in the RLS group. CONCLUSION: Despite the secondary causes involved, we believe that it is relevant to report the RLS prevalence detected in our study.
OBJECTIVES: Because there is only one study to our knowledge on the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in sub-Saharan Africa and RLS is more common in patients with some pain syndromes, we aimed to determine the prevalence of RLS in a population with chronic pain in Maputo, Mozambique. METHODS: Our study was conducted in the Pain Unit of the Central Hospital of Maputo, Mozambique. Patients were individually interviewed by a neurologist, and only those fulfilling the criteria were included. After collection of demographic data and pain features, the patients answered the screening questions regarding RLS. RESULTS: A total of 123 patients with pain were interviewed. Five individuals were excluded. RLS was found in eight (6.77%) of 118 patients. The mean age of the eight patients with RLS was 54.6years. Five patients (62.5%) were women and six (75%) were black individuals. Seven (87.5%) patients were diagnosed with neuropathic pain; one of them had AIDS and another one (12.5%) had orthopedic pain. The presence of hypertension and neuropathies was more frequent in the RLS group. CONCLUSION: Despite the secondary causes involved, we believe that it is relevant to report the RLS prevalence detected in our study.
Authors: Michael B Fawale; Ishaq Alani Ismail; Adekunle F Mustapha; Morenikeji A Komolafe; Tewogbade A Adedeji Journal: J Clin Sleep Med Date: 2016-07-15 Impact factor: 4.062