Prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome and Its Effects on Sleep and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Heart Failure

Abstract Background Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by leg restlessness and dysesthesia. Although the relationship between RLS and heart failure (HF) has been reported, the prevalence and clinical significance of RLS in patients with HF remain to be elucidated. Methods and Results We enrolled consecutive patients with HF who were admitted to our institutions. RLS was diagnosed using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group criteria. Subjective sleepiness, sleep quality, and quality of life (QoL) were assessed using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and 8-item Short Form (SF-8), respectively. Among the 133 patients, 18 (13.6%) had RLS and were younger than those without RLS (62.4±13.4 vs 70.0±12.2, P=0.017). The RLS group had significantly disrupted sleep quality and QoL, with greater PSQI score (8.0±3.2 vs 5.9±3.3, P=0.015) and lower SF-8 physical component summary (PCS) score (35.6±6.5 vs 40.7±9.5, P=0.031), despite similar ESS and SF-8 mental component summary scores. In the multivariable regression analysis, RLS was associated with greater PSQI (β=0.211; P=0.014) and lower PCS score (β=−0.177; P=0.045). Conclusion In the patients with HF, RLS was prevalent, and sleep quality and QoL may be disrupted by RLS.