PREVALENCE OF RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME AND IT'S ASSOCIATED FACTORS IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disease characterized by throbbing, pulling, creeping, or other unpleasant sensations in the legs and an uncontrollable and sometimes increasing urge to move them. Most people who have RLS find difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. The prevalence of RLS in Mirpur especially in students remain unexplored. To determine the prevalence of Restless Legs (RLS) Syndrome and associated factors in students METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 16 April 2025 to 10 August June 2025 involving 389 students (male, female).Age 18-25 year. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire based on the International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) criteria. Participants were classified into mild, moderate, severe and very severe. Data was analyzed by using SPSS version 27 with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Out 389 participants and based on IRLSSG scoring exhibited none 30.8% (n=120), mild 29.8% (n=116) few characteristics while 27.8% (n=120) in moderate category ,10.8% (n=42) had severe symptoms and 0.8% (n=3) had very severe symptoms. The findings showed association between RLS and associated factors among university students and severity of RLS was rated from mild to moderate. (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The study highlights a mild to moderate prevalence of RLS among university students, emphasizing the need for a targeted intervention to manage this condition in academic institutions or settings