The Relationship Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Restless Legs Syndrome in Pregnancy

Abstract

Objective:Restless Legs syndrome is a common sleep-related movement disorder, and vitamin D deficiency is claimed to play a role in the emergence of the disease. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the prevalence and severity of Restless Legs syndrome, as well as assess the effects of Restless Legs syndrome on sleep quality during pregnancy.Materials and Methods:Overall, 145 pregnant women were enrolled in the study. Participants were divided into the following two groups based on serum 25 (OH) vitamin D levels: low (<20 ng/mL) and normal (≥20 ng/mL). The pregnant women were screened for Restless Legs syndrome by using the diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group Rating scale. Pittsburg Sleep Quality index was used to evaluate sleep quality. The groups were compared statistically.Results:Overall, 58.2% of patients in the vitamin D deficient group and 27.7% in the vitamin D sufficient group were diagnosed with Restless Legs syndrome. Notably, Restless Legs syndrome severity and Pittsburg scores were significantly higher in patients with low vitamin D levels.Conclusion:To our knowledge, this is the first study to address the link between vitamin D deficiency and the frequency and symptom severity of Restless Legs syndrome in pregnant women. The findings of this study indicate the need to evaluate vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women with restless legs symptoms.

Keywords

• pregnancy
• restless legs syndrome
• vitamin d
• sleep quality