Restless leg syndrome increases the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
The authors of the new study say that restless leg syndrome may increase the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, especially among older women.
The urgency of the problem
Restless legs syndrome is a neurologic sensory disorder, which affects 4 — 29% of people in North America and Western Europe. The disease tends to affect women and the elderly.
Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania State University) examined the Association between restless legs syndrome and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. CVD are the leading cause of death among men and women.
Materials and methods
The researchers reviewed data 57 417 women aged 67 years who have not had cancer, kidney failure or cardiovascular disease at baseline. They were followed for 10 years.
Every 2 years the women filled out questionnaires, which indicated about restless legs syndrome, other medical conditions and lifestyle.
The scientific results
During the period of observation was registered 6 448 deaths. The analysis showed that women diagnosed with restless legs syndrome had a higher risk of CVD mortality. In particular, over a 10-year study period women with restless legs syndrome died from heart disease was 43% greater than women without the syndrome. In addition, the longer women had restless leg syndrome, the higher was the risk of death from CVD.
We noted no relation between restless legs syndrome and mortality caused by other diseases such as cancer.
The authors conclude: “Women with restless legs syndrome have a higher mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases that can’t be fully explained”.
According to the researchers, people with restless leg syndrome, usually at risk for other conditions such as obesity and high blood pressure. Both of these factors affect the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
“This study suggests that restless legs syndrome may be a new risk factor for death associated with cardiovascular disease,” says HiAN Gao
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