Investigating of Mood and Sleep Disorders in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) significantly affects sleep quality. A lack of awareness regarding this condition often results in delays in both diagnosis and treatment. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of RLS and identify comorbidities associated with the disorder. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with RLS registered in the sleep clinic at Mashhad University of Medical Sciences from 2019 to 2024. The diagnosis of RLS was made using the four minimum criteria established by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI ≥ 6), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS ≥ 10), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21) were employed to evaluate sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, insomnia, and mood disorders, respectively. Data analysis was performed using STATA version 7 software, with a significance threshold set at (P < 0.05). Results: The prevalence of RLS was found to be 9.2%. The average RLS score for men was 15.71 ± 13.19, while for women it was 19.35 ± 11.72 (P = 0.004). A significant negative correlation was observed between RLS scores and sleep duration (P < 0.001). Conversely, there were significant positive correlations between RLS scores and sleep latency, PSQI, ISI, and DASS-21 (P < 0.001). Rare variants of RLS, including restless head, back, bladder, abdomen, and perineum syndrome, were identified in a total of 11 cases (3.6%) among the participants. Conclusions: Enhancing awareness of RLS and its comorbidities is crucial for the accurate diagnosis and management of patients, which can subsequently improve sleep quality and alleviate mood disorders. It is important to recognize that restlessness mimicking RLS can manifest in different areas of the body.