[Restless legs syndrome epidemiology].

The restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a chronic sensori-motor disorder characterized by a complaint of an irresistible urge to move the legs. This urge can often be accompanied by pain or other unpleasant sensations, it either occurs or worsens with rest, particularly at night, and temporarily improves with activity. Prevalence estimates vary between 7.2% and 11.5% of the Caucasian adult population. RLS prevalence increases with age, and women are more frequently affected than men. In France, a prevalence rate of 8.5% was estimated. Although RLS is mainly idiopathic, several clinical conditions have been associated with it, mainly pregnancy, iron deficiency with or without anemia, end-stage renal disease and peripheral neuropathy. RLS is often underdiagnosed and there is a clear need for complementary education to improve the accurate diagnosis of RLS. Indeed, a better knowledge of this syndrome is a prerequisite to prompt an appropriate therapeutic management.