Approximately 5% to 15% of adults are affected by symptoms of restless legs syndrome.1 The condition may also occur in children, although the symptoms may not be recognized. Most people diagnosed with restless legs syndrome are middle-aged and older.
Episodes usually occur sporadically in early adulthood, gradually increasing in frequency. After age 50, many people with this condition have daily occurrences.2
Some estimates suggest that restless legs syndrome affects twice as many women as men. Approximately 10% to 20% of women develop it during pregnancy,3 although it usually goes away without treatment soon after the baby is born.
References
Citations
Murphy BS (2000). Restless legs syndrome. In RE Rakel, ed., Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, 2nd ed., pp. 1031–1032. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders.
Allen RP, Earley CJ (2001). Restless legs syndrome: A review of clinical and pathophysiologic features. Journal of Clinical Neurophysiology, 18(2): 128–147.
Pack AM, Morrell MJ (2005). Neurologic disease during pregnancy. In LP Rowland, ed., Merritt's Neurology, 11th ed., pp. 1116–1117. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Credits
| Author | Kathe Gallagher, MSW |
| Author | Cynthia Tank |
| Editor | Alison Allen |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Wayne A. Hening, MD - Neurology |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Karin M. Lindholm, DO - Neurology |
| Last Updated | April 4, 2007 |
Cynthia Tank
