Epidemiology of periodic limb movement disorder

Abstract

Introduction: Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) is characterized by periodic episodes of repetitive and highly stereotyped limb movements that occur during sleep, affecting the lower limbs, lasting 0,5 to 5 seconds and the pause between the episodes is about 20-40 seconds. Purpose of the study is studying the scientific literature about the prevalence of periodic limb movement disorder in different disorders. Materials and methods: There were studied about 50 articles about the prevalence of periodic limb movement disorder. Disscussion results: Periodic limb movement disorder is frecquently encountered among sleep disorders. Its prevalence is about 3,9% to 6% in general population. The prevalence in persons of age upper than 60 is 34%. In children periodic limb movements prevalence is 7,7%. In patients with sleep obstructive apnea, periodic limb movemets prevalence is about 4-5%. In patients with insomnia periodic limb movement disorder is encountered in about 1 to 15 % of all patients. Conclusions: Periodic limb movement disorder is a disorder with a high prevalence in general population. An appropriate clinical approach is still discussed. PLMD is frecquent encountered in different pathologies and this finding may give a solution in finding a proper clinical approach.