Obstetric Restless Legs Syndrome in Industrialized Area of Pakistan

Objective:To determine the frequency of obstetrics Restless legs syndrome(RLS) in industrialized area of Karachi and to identifypossible risk factors of RLS in Pakistani population.Materials and Methods:This cross-sectional study was carried out in a Teaching Hospital from 1st January 2013 to 31st January2014.All pregnant women of 20- 44 years old in first trimester without peripheral vascular disease, painful legs, peripheralneuropathy, nocturnal leg cramps and moving toes were enrolled in the study. A close-ended questionnaire developed fromInternational RLS Study Group was used.The diagnosis of RLS was then ascertained by the obstetrician by using the criteriaof the International RLS Study Group and they were labeled as “RLS sufferers and were kept in RLS group while others thatis non RLS sufferers were kept in the healthy group. Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were performed usingSPSS Statistical Software 17.Results:During a period of thirteen months, 900 pregnant women were interviewed and examined out of these 85.7% fulfilledthe criteria and constituted the study population. Out of these 31.90 % were RLS suffers. Among RLS suffers 55% were residentof industrialized area. The majority of RLS suffers were multigravida and in their advance pregnancies.Conclusion: The frequency of obstetrics Restless legs syndrome (RLS) in industrialized area of Karachi is 31.90 % Possiblerisk factors of RLS in Pakistani population are multigravidity, advance pregnancy, industrialized area etc