Restless legs syndrome in adolescents: relationship with sleep quality, cardiorespiratory fitness and body fat

• Main Authors: Christoforos D. Giannaki, Georgios M. Hadjigeorgiou, George Aphamis, Marios Pantzaris, Giorgos K. Sakkas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazilian Association of Sleep and Latin American Federation of Sleep Societies
• Series: Sleep Science
• Subjects: Sleep disorders; Body composition; Restless legs syndrome; Adolescent; Cyprus
• Online Access: http://www.sleepscience.org.br/export-pdf/399/v10n1a02.pdf
• ISSN: 1984-0659; 1984-0063

Objective: The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and sleep quality in a sample of adolescents. Methods: One hundred fifty seven volunteer adolescents (16.6 ± 0.7 yrs) participated in the study. Sleep quality was assessed by the Pittsburg sleep quality index. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by the 20 m shuttle run test and body composition by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results: The prevalence of RLS was 5.1%. The adolescents with RLS were found to exhibit significantly higher body fat levels (p=0.019) and poorer sleep quality score (p=0.000) compared with their free-RLS counterparts. Conclusions: Adolescents with RLS are subjects of higher body fat and impaired sleep quality compared with adolescents without RLS. Early diagnosis and appropriate management of RLS is essential in the adolescents.