Restless leg syndrome in osteoarthritis: A common but overlooked combination- A study in south Asian population

Restless leg syndrome is a common sensory motor disorder of sleep wake cycle. It significantly impaired sleep and quality of life. Osteoarthritis is a heterogeneous disorder of degeneration of articular cartilage and will lead to affect weight bearing joint. Pain and immobility with friction at joint side will leads affects daily life activities of the affected population. A Pakistani research showed RLS prevalence of 23.6 % in Karachi.The prevalence in females was twice as high as compared to males. A 30 % prevalence of RLS in RA in comparison with 3 % in OA. Aim to identify the Restless leg syndrome (RLS) in osteoarthritis patient in accordance with different parameters and grading. A cross-sectional study conducted during a period of January 2023–July 2023 in orthopedic and rheumatology clinics as well inpatient departments held at Jinnah Medical College Hospital. Total number of 260 patient was included in this study. The subjects were selected through nonprobability convenience sampling in accordance with inclusion and exclusion criteria. After evaluating the patients’ eligibility to participate in the study and obtaining consent, the study questionnaires, which were validated and were in the English language, patients were ruled out for other conditions that mimic RLS by following “International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group”. Kellgren-Lawrence scale for radiographic classification of osteoarthritis was used for grading Osteoarthritis severity. RLS severity rating scale was used to identify the RLS severity. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 22. Among the study participants 117 were males and 143 were females. RLS was present in participants, however frequency of RLS was 83 in males and 110 in females. A strongly positive correlation with gender, BMI, grading scale RLS with Osteoarthritis was found (p-value were significant). However, there was no significant correlation of family history and duration of symptoms with RLS. It was concluded from our study that RLS is significantly present in osteoarthritis with severity in its grade. As though it should be considered while evaluating osteoarthritis.