Prevalence and Associated Factors of Restless Leg Syndrome

Abstract

To assess the prevalence and factors associated with restless leg syndrome among the students at Gulf Medical University. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, UAE, upon approval from the Ethics Committee. A self-administered questionnaire was given to gather information from 624 students about Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), covering things like age, gender, and factors associated with it. Among the students (164 boys and 452 girls), we found that 6.2% had restless leg syndrome. The results of the study showed a connection between restless leg syndrome and factors such as magnesium deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, anemia, and sleep disturbance. We did not find a significant link between age and restless leg syndrome in our study, as we focused on people aged 18 and older. In conclusion, we identified the most common factors connected to restless leg syndrome, including low magnesium, low vitamin B12, anemia, and sleep problems. These findings highlight that restless leg syndrome is complex and can affect young adults, with certain nutritional and lifestyle factors playing a role in its occurrence.