Epidemiology

RLS of any severity occurs in 5% to 15% of European and North American adults.[6]​[8]​​[9] 1.5% to 2.7% have symptoms which occur at least twice a week and result in moderate or severe distress.[10][11] RLS prevalence is higher in women than in men.[6] This is thought to be predominantly due to the higher prevalence of RLS in pregnancy.[12] Studies indicate a lower prevalence in Asia and Africa, as well as among Hispanic populations.[5] Mean age of onset is during the third and fourth decades, but it can occur at any age, including in children, with an estimated prevalence of 2% to 4% in paediatric populations and 0.5% to 1% reporting moderate to severe symptoms.[5] Prevalence increases with age in European and North American countries but not in Asian countries.[6]

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