Sleep Disorder : Restless Legs Syndrome - Incidence

Restless Legs Syndrome - Incidence

Restless Leg Syndrome plagues an estimated 2.7% of the general population. RLS occurs more often in women than in men.

About 10 percent of adults in North America and Europe may experience RLS symptoms, according to the National Sleep Foundation, which reports that "lower prevalence has been found in India, Japan and Singapore," indicating that ethnic factors, including diet, may play a role in the prevalence of this syndrome.

RLS affects both men and women. The disorder occurs more often in women than in men. The number of cases of RLS rises with age. Many people with RLS are diagnosed in middle age. But in up to two out of every five cases, the symptoms of RLS begin before age 20. People who develop RLS early in life usually have a family history of the disorder.