Prevalence of restless legs syndrome and sleep problems in Korean children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a single institution study

• Published in: Clinical and experimental pediatrics Vol. 57; no. 7; pp. 317 - 322
• Main Authors: Kwon, Soonhak, Sohn, Youngsoo, Jeong, Seong-Hoon, Chung, Un-Sun, Seo, Hyeeun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Clinical and Experimental Pediatics / Korean Pediatric Society 01.07.2014; The Korean Pediatric Society; Korean Pediatric Society; 대한소아청소년과학회
• Subjects: Adolescents; Adults; Attention deficit disorders with hyperactivity; Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Child; Comorbidity; East Asian; Families & family life; Family medical history; Insomnia; Mental disorders; Original; Patients; Pediatrics; Questionnaires; Restless legs syndrome; Sleep deprivation; Sleep disorders; Statistical analysis; Teenagers; 소아과학; Restless legs syndrome; East Asian; Adolescents; Child; Attention deficit disorders with hyperactivity
• ISSN: 1738-1061; 2092-7258; 2713-4148
• DOI: 10.3345/kjp.2014.57.7.317

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder in school-aged children. Patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) often present with ADHD symptoms and vice versa. This study was the first to attempt to identify the prevalence of RLS and sleep problems in children with ADHD in Korea. Patients diagnosed with ADHD were asked to complete a sleep questionnaire. The sleep questionnaire included items to help identify the presence of four typical symptoms that are used as diagnostic criteria for RLS. A total of 56 patients, including 51 boys and 5 girls (mean age, 10.7 years old) participated. Of these, 24 complained of pain, discomfort, or an unpleasant sensation in the legs. Based on the RLS diagnostic criteria, 2 patients were diagnosed with definite RLS and 4 with probable RLS. There were no significant differences in age, medication dosage, or neuropsychological test scores between the patients with and without RLS symptoms. Approximately 42.9% of patients with ADHD presented with RLS symptoms and 7.1% of these were diagnosed with RLS. Patients with ADHD also experienced various other sleep disorders. Thus, appropriate assessment and treatment for sleep disorders in patients with ADHD is essential.