Correlation of Anaemia and Restless Legs Syndrome in Elderly: A Cross-sectional Study
OC14-OC17
Correspondence
Sunil Kumar,
Professor, Department of Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta
Meghe Institute of Medical Science (Deemed to be University), Wardha,
Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: sunilkumarmed@gmail.com
Introduction: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) also known as Willis Ekbom Disease (WED) which manifests as a neurologic disorder among patients with anaemia, particularly with iron deficiency anaemia.
Aim: To find the association of anaemia with RLS in the elderly population.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 patients of age ≥60 years were enrolled and categorised into mild, moderate, and severe anaemia as per World Health Organisation (WHO) criteria. Every participant was enquired about RLS via a questionnaire based on the International RLS Study Group Rating Scale (IRLSSGRS) for its Severity and for the diagnosis (Essential clinical criteria for the diagnosis of RLS).
Results: The study showed that patients with anaemia had a statistically significant correlation with RLS (p=0.04) and severity of RLS (p=0.032). Serum ferritin levels too showed a statistically significant correlation with RLS (p=0.032).
Conclusion: Patients with severe anaemia and lower serum ferritin levels were more prone to RLS and had more RLS severity.