Validation of the Minimum Question Set for the Diagnosis of the Restless Legs Syndrome in a Population of Czech Pregnant Women

Czech version

Authors: Z. Šrůtková; J. Pavlíčková; L. Plchová; K. Šonka; A. Pařízek; D. Kemlink
Authors‘ workplace: Neurologická klinika a Centrum klinických neurověd 1. LF UK a VFN v Praze
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2014; 77/110(4): 493-495
Category: Short Communication

Overview

Aims:
The aim of this study was to estimate diagnostic accuracy of the Czech version of a self-administered minimum question set to diagnose the Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). The wording of the three questions was published in 2003 by the International RLS study group together with the diagnostic criteria.

Material and methods:
The question set was translated into Czech, followed by blind translation back to English. Women in 36th–38th week of pregnancy were asked to complete the questionnaire. Subsequently, the women were contacted over a telephone by a physician trained in diagnosing RLS and a standard telephone interview to establish or exclude the diagnosis of RLS was performed. The results of both methods were compared to estimate sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of the minimum question set.

Results:
We surveyed 776 pregnant women (18–49 years old) who came to a prenatal outpatient clinic to consult an obstetrician at the third trimester (36th–38th week of pregnancy). In total, 199 questionnaires were validated; personal interview confirmed the diagnosis of RLS in 65 of them. Positive response to all three questions yields specificity of 89% but only about 78% sensitivity and positive predictive value. Positive response to the first question only has sensitivity of 94% and negative predictive value of 96%. The prevalence of RLS during pregnancy estimated using the three-question questionnaire was 28% (95% confidence interval from 24.9 to 31.2%).

Conclusion:
Our study validated the Czech version of the minimal question set for diagnosing RLS and confirmed its high diagnostic accuracy.

Key words:
restless legs syndrome – pregnancy – sensitivity – specificity – prevalence

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