The effects of restless legs syndrome on sleep and quality of life during pregnancy: a comparative descriptive study

Objective: The study aimed to identify the effects of restless legs syndrome (RLS) on sleep quality and quality of life in pregnant women.Methods: This comparative and descriptive study was conducted with 109 pregnant women between the 24 and 39 weeks of gestation. The presence and severity of RLS were investigated using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group’s Diagnostic Criteria Scale and Severity Rating Scale, and the effects of the syndrome on sleep and quality of life were evaluated. Results: The prevalence of RLS in pregnant women was found to be 47.7%. In the RLS group, 22.0% of the pregnant women had severe RLS symptoms and 20.2% had moderate RLS symptoms. The mean score for Restless Legs Syndrome Severity Rating Scale was determined 20.75±6.38. The mean score for quality of life scale was determined 17.75±3.73 in RLS group and 26.46±2.67 in non-RLS group. Conclusion: The difference between the mean scores for Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index of the pregnant women with RLS and those without the syndrome was found to be statistically significant. While the mean score for Quality of Life Scale in pregnant women with RLS was lower in general health, physical health and psychological health sub-dimensions, no statistically significant difference was found in social relations and environment sub-dimensions. It is recommended that nurses investigate RLS complaints of pregnant women and include non-pharmacological methods in their nursing practices.