PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the quality of sleep with the serum lipid profile in patients who have restless legs syndrome (RLS). METHODS: The data were obtained from 116 patients with RLS through questionnaires and blood sampling. RESULTS: The results of this study showed correlations between lower quality of sleep and serum lipid profile (LDL Cholesterol) in patients with RLS (r=.19, p=.040). There were correlations for scores of quality of sleep from the, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) sub-region between lower subjective sleep quality and serum lipid profile (LDL Cholesterol) (r=.20, p=.026), between fewer hours of sleep duration and serum lipid profile (Total Cholesterol) (r=-.21, p=.024), and, between higher daytime dysfunction and serum lipid profile (LDL Cholesterol) (r=.42, p<.001) of patients with RLS. CONCLUSION: Patients with RLS have sleep disorders with lower quality of sleep and changes in the serum lipid profile for total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. That is, patients with RLS have lower quality of sleep and dyslipidemia compared to persons without RLS. Further research is needed to monitor serum the lipid profile in early stage symptoms of midlife adult patients with RLS and especially older women.
Adult ; Aged ; Cholesterol, HDL/blood ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood ; Female ; Humans ; Lipids/*blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Questionnaires ; Restless Legs Syndrome/blood/*psychology ; *Sleep ; Triglycerides/blood

PURPOSE: In this study rest-activity rhythm, sleep pattern and quality of life of patients with restless legs syndrome were compared with those of a normal group. METHODS: The participants in this study were 36 patients with restless legs syndrome diagnosed by a neurologist and 36 participants in the normal group. An actigraph, sleep diary, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Insomnia Severity Index scale were used as measurement tools for the study. Chi-square test, Lamda test, t-test and Kendall's correlation with SPSS 12.0 program were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Patients with restless legs syndrome had a higher rest-activity rhythm curve of Least 5 hr's activity (L5) and Most 10 hr's activity (M10) than those of normal group and sleep problems included decreased sleep efficiency and increased sleep latency, wake time and number of awakenings. The scores for the subscales of quality of life in patients with restless legs syndrome were lower than the normal group for general health, physical functioning, role limitations due to emotional problems, role limitation due to physical problems, social functioning, bodily pain, vitality and mental health. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that further studies are needed to identify rest-activity rhythm according to symptom severity and to develop nursing interventions which consider rest-activity rhythm.
Adult ; Aged ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Quality of Life ; *Rest ; Restless Legs Syndrome/*psychology ; Severity of Illness Index ; Sleep/*physiology