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Validation of the restless legs syndrome screening questionnaire (RLSSQ)

Validierung des Fragebogens zum Screening auf Restless-legs-Syndrom

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Abstract

Background

Although the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome (RLS) is largely based on the presence of the four essential criteria, no validated diagnostic questionnaire exists for use in epidemiological studies or clinical practice.

Methods

For this purpose we validated a 10-item patient self-rating questionnaire (maximum total score 10 points) covering the clinical features of RLS and including the essential criteria (items 1–5). The essential criterion 1 was divided into two questions to separately address the unpleasant sensations (item 1) and the urge to move (item 2). The RLS screening questionnaire (RLSSQ) was administered to 329 patients with RLS (213 female; mean age 62.6±11.8 years), 187 control subjects from the general population (113 female; mean age 50.0±13.3 years), and 118 patients with Parkinson’s disease (44 female; mean age 65.1±9.8 years) in whom RLS was excluded.

Results

The mean RLSSQ score in the RLS group was 8.5±1.0 points, compared with 2.2±2.1 points in the general population control group (p<0.0005). Considering an RLSSQ score of 7 points as a positive test result, we found a sensitivity of 97.9% and a specificity of 96.2%. In the Parkinson’s disease control group, the mean RLSSQ score (3.72±2.04) was also significantly lower than in the RLS group (p<0.0005), revealing a specificity of 93.2%.

Conclusion

Because of its high sensitivity and specificity, the RLSSQ proved to be a useful diagnostic instrument.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Obwohl die Diagnose des Restless-legs-Syndroms (RLS) weitgehend auf dem Vorliegen der 4 Hauptkriterien basiert, gibt es keinen validierten diagnostischen Fragebogen zum Einsatz in epidemiologischen Studien oder klinischer Praxis.

Methoden

Daher validierten wir einen Selbstbeurteilungs-Patientenfragebogen mit 10 Unterpunkten (Gesamthöchstwert: 10 Punkte), der die klinischen Merkmale des RLS abdeckt und die Hauptkriterien enthält (Unterpunkt 1–5). Das Hauptkriterium 1 wurde in 2 Fragen unterteilt, die getrennt auf die unangenehmen Empfindungen (Unterpunkt 1) und den Bewegungsdrang (Unterpunkt 2) abzielen. Eingesetzt wurde der RLS-Screening-Fragebogen (RLSSQ) bei 329 Patienten mit RLS (213 w.; Alter im Mittel 62,6±11,8 Jahre), 187 Kontrollen aus der Allgemeinbevölkerung (113 w.; Alter im Mittel 50,0±13,3 Jahre) und 118 Parkinson-Patienten (44 w.; Alter im Mittel 65,1±9,8 Jahre), bei denen ein RLS ausgeschlossen worden war.

Ergebnisse

Im Mittel betrug der RLSSQ-Wert in der RLS-Gruppe 8,5±1,0 Punkte im Vergleich zu 2,2±2,1 Punkten in der Kontrollgruppe aus der Allgemeinbevölkerung (p<0,0005). Betrachtet man einen RLSSQ-Wert von 7 Punkten als positives Testergebnis, so stellten wir eine Sensitivität von 97,9% und eine Spezifität von 96,2% fest. In der Kontrollgruppe mit Parkinson-Krankheit war der mittlere RLSSQ-Wert (3,72±2,04) ebenfalls signifikant niedriger als in der RLS-Gruppe (p<0,0005), was einer Spezifität von 93,2% entspricht.

Fazit

Wegen seiner hohen Sensitivität und Spezifität erwies sich der RLSSQ als nützliches diagnostisches Instrument.

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Conflict of Interest

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, Center of Nervous Diseases, Philipps University, Rudolf-Bultmann-Straße 8, 35033, Marburg, Deutschland

    K. Stiasny-Kolster MD, J.C. Möller, V. Ries & W.H. Oertel

  2. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps University, Marburg, Deutschland

    M. Heinzel-Gutenbrunner

  3. Department of General Practice, Philipps University, Marburg, Deutschland

    E. Baum

Authors
  1. K. Stiasny-Kolster MD
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  2. J.C. Möller
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  3. M. Heinzel-Gutenbrunner
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  4. E. Baum
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  5. V. Ries
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  6. W.H. Oertel
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Correspondence to K. Stiasny-Kolster MD.

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Stiasny-Kolster, K., Möller, J., Heinzel-Gutenbrunner, M. et al. Validation of the restless legs syndrome screening questionnaire (RLSSQ). Somnologie 13, 37–42 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11818-009-0402-z

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