The Relationship between Restless Leg Syndrome Severity with Neuropsychological Performance and Menstrual Disorders in Young Women

Background & aim: Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a frequent sensory dyskinesia disorder of the nervous system and a cause of disability in several aspects. We aimed to explore the relationship between RLS and mood complications, menstrual patterns and associated symptoms among young women. Methods: This cross-sectional survey undertaken on 118 female university students in Birjand, Iran in 2020 using a multistage cluster sampling method. The degree of RLS was judged using the International RLS Severity Scale. The severity of PMS was characterized via the Premenstrual Syndrome Screening Tool (PSST). Neuropsychological performance was evaluated by standard questionnaires. Results: Of the 118 young women, 29.7%, 32.2%, 27.9% and 10.2% of the participants were not affected by RLS, or had, mild, moderate, or severe types of RLS, respectively. The subjects with RLS had significantly lower duration of their menstruation cycle, and higher PSST scores, compared to those without it. Subjects with different severities of RLS scored higher for severity of depression, anxiety, stress, insomnia and sleepiness than normal women (p<0.01). RLS score was a significant factor related to the scores for: cognitive abilities (ß=-0.33; P=0.022), depression (ß=0.32; P=0.001), anxiety (ß=0.24; P=0.003), stress (ß=0.44; P<0.001), quality of life (ß=-0.23; P<0.001), insomnia (ß=0.21; P=0.001), sleepiness (ß=0.15; P=0.014) and PSST (ß=0.28; P=0.019). Conclusions: In the absence of health management, RLS potentially associated to depression, anxiety, sleep disruption, cognitive impairment, decreased quality of life and menstrual problem. Future intervention studies is required for support these results.