Evaluation of sleep quality and restless legs syndrome in adult patients with sickle cell anemia

Purpose To determine the prevalence of poor sleep quality and RLS in adult patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA). The second aim was to identify the risk factors for RLS and impairment of sleep quality in SCA patients. Materials and methods Patients at least 18 years old, with hemoglobin electrophoresis confirmation of sickle cell disease, were included. Restless legs syndrome was diagnosed according to the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group criteria. The sleep quality of the patients was determined using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scale. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) was used to assess excessive daytime sleepiness. Results Of 72 patients enrolled in the study, the median total PSQI score was 5 (R1-17). The total PSQI score was significantly associated with increased age and number of acute severe or extremely severe painful crises during the previous year (p < 0.001,r = 0.45;p = 0.013,r = 0.291 respectively). Of 72 patients, 13 (18%) had RLS and 11 (15%) had excessive daytime sleepiness. The presence of RLS was significantly associated with increased age (p = 0.004). The presence of RLS was not associated with fetal hemoglobin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, or ferritin levels (p > 0.05 for all). Conclusion The prevalence of RLS among this sample of adult patients with sickle cell anemia was much higher than that previously reported for the general Turkish population. The presence of RLS was an important cause of sleep disturbance in these adult patients with SCA.