Prevalence and determinants of restless leg syndrome in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Pakistan

Abstract

Background and aims: Restless legs syndromes (RLS) are intrinsic sleeping disorder and its prevalence rate is 10–15% in general population but it is observed that prevalence rate is different in diabetes patients. Current study aims to find prevalence and determinants of RLS in people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Pakistan. Method: A multicenter cross-sectional observational study was conducted in 388 diabetes patients attending daily diabetes clinics and teaching hospitals in Pakistan's twin city between August 2019 and February 2020. The chi-square test and linear regression were used to detect RLS-related factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Results: The prevalence of RLS found was; 3.1% patients with diabetes were suffering from very severe RLS, 23.5% from severe RLS, 34% from moderate RLS, 21.1% from mild RLS and 18.3% from non-RLS. Gender, age, education, blood glucose fasting (BSF), blood glucose random (BSR) and HBA1c were found to be significant predictors of RLS in patients with diabetes. Conclusion: Policy makers can develop local interventions to curb the growing RLS prevalence by keeping in control the risk factors of RLS in people living with type 2 diabetes.