Abstract:

Aim: Restless Legs Syndrome is a condition that causes resting symptoms, negatively affects resting status and sleep quality, and causes daytime sleepiness. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of Restless Legs Syndrome in nurses and to evaluate the relationship between sleep quality and sleepiness. Material and Methods: The study is a descriptive relationship-seeking study conducted on nurses (n=239) working in a university hospital in February-August 2017. Restless Legs Syndrome Diagnosis Form, International Restless Legs Syndrome Working Group Severity Assessment Form, Pittsburg Sleep Quality Scale, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale were used to collect the data. Results: The prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome was 19.7% (n=47). The mean score of the nurses who met the diagnostic criteria of the syndrome was 18.4±5.6 (min.3.00; max.30.00), and it was severe in 29.8%. It was determined that 15-19 years of work, a history of doctor-diagnosed disease, and the presence of anemia increased the severity of symptoms. Sleep quality was poor in 74.5% of those diagnosed. Insomnia, one of the subcomponents of the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Scale, was increased in individuals with Restless Legs Syndrome. As symptom severity increased in individuals, poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness also increased. Conclusion: It was determined that nurses frequently experienced Restless Legs Syndrome, and their sleep quality was adversely affected. It is recommended that nurses be screened for Restless Legs Syndrome and chronic diseases and other factors that increase its severity.

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