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A time sequence analysis of the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors, vascular diseases and restless legs syndrome in the general population
Author(s) -
Szentkirályi András,
Völzke Henry,
Hoffmann Wolfgang,
Happe Svenja,
Berger Klaus
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of sleep research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.297
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1365-2869
pISSN - 0962-1105
DOI - 10.1111/jsr.12040
Subject(s) - medicine , body mass index , population , diabetes mellitus , prospective cohort study , risk factor , comorbidity , stroke (engine) , cohort study , myocardial infarction , endocrinology , mechanical engineering , environmental health , engineering
Summary Previous cross‐sectional studies regarding the association of restless legs syndrome ( RLS ) with cardiovascular morbidity are controversial. Our aim was to evaluate prospectively the relationship of cardiovascular risk factors and vascular diseases with incident RLS in the general population. The results are from two prospective population‐based cohort studies: the D ortmund H ealth S tudy ( n = 1312, median follow‐up of 2.1 years) and the S tudy of H ealth in P omerania ( n = 4308, median follow‐up of 5.0 years). RLS status was assessed twice according to the minimal criteria. Diabetes, hypertension, myocardial infarction and stroke, as well as currently taken medications, were assessed as self‐reports. Body mass index and serum total cholesterol were also measured. The independent risks associated with each outcome were estimated by multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for comorbidities and behavioural factors. Obesity was an independent risk factor of incident RLS in the D ortmund H ealth S tudy, and higher body mass index was an independent risk factor in both studies. Diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia were independent predictors of incident RLS in the S tudy of H ealth in P omerania. The vascular comorbidity index, defined by the number of concurrent cardiovascular risk factors and vascular diseases, showed a positive association with incident RLS in both studies. RLS at baseline was not a significant predictor of any subsequent cardiovascular risk factors and/or vascular diseases in any of the studies. Cardiovascular risk factors and diseases predict the subsequent development of RLS in the general population. The presence of RLS is not a significant risk factor of cardiovascular morbidity.