Restless legs syndrome, anxiety, and depression in phlebology practice

Abstract

The aim was to analyze the prevalence and overlapping of chronic venous disorders, restless legs syndrome, anxiety and depressive conditions. There were 582 subjects enroll; 450 (77.5%) women and 132 (22.5%) men (mean age 45.0). The examination included a physical exam with ultrasound scanning, restless legs syndrome questionnaire, and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). The prevalence of chronic venous disorders was in 82.6% subjects, restless legs syndrome 13.9%, anxiety 28% and depression 8.6%. Chronic venous disorders were more frequent in anxious patients (34%; P<0.05) vs non-anxious (25%; P<0.05). Significant interrelations between chronic venous disorders and depression were not found (P>0.05). Anxiety and depression were significantly more frequent in patients with restless leg syndrome (anxiety 54.3% vs non-anxiety 23.8%, P<0.001; depression 24.7% vs non-depression 6%, P<0.001). There were not relevant interrelations between chronic venous disorders and restless leg syndrome or anxiety/depression. Anxiety and depressive were significantly correlated with restless legs syndrome.