Güngen AC, et al. – The study aimed to determine the association between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and bronchial asthma. Researchers reported that RLS was more frequent in people with asthma than in healthy individuals, and as asthma control decreased, the frequency of RLS increased. They suggested that it would be helpful to evaluate people with asthma, especially those with symptoms of depression and anxiety, with regard to RLS in order to address, and ultimately improve, their quality of life.

Methods

• An aggregate of eighty-four people with asthma and fifty-one healthy volunteers were selected.
• The diagnosis of RLS was made according to the criteria determined by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group, and the Beck Depression and Beck Anxiety scales were utilized to evaluate both groups.
• The Asthma Control Test™(ACT) was completed to determine asthma control status.

Results

• According to the findings obtained, RLS was detected in 27(32.1%) of the asthma group and in 8(15.7%) of the control group.
• Findings revealed that the frequency of RLS was significantly higher in the asthma group than in the control group (p=0.034).
• Although no significant association was seen between the presence of RLS and the use of an inhaled steroid, use of a β2 agonist and age; a significant relationship was discovered between the presence of RLS and, ACT score, symptoms of depression and anxiety and gender(p<0.05).