Nocturnal Leg Cramps, Sleep Wake Transition Disorders
Conditions
Brief summary
Background : Nocturnal leg cramps (NLC) are defined as painful involuntary contractions of the lower limbs occurring during prolonged periods of rest, typically during the night. They may cause severe pain and sleep disturbance, and are particularly common among older adults, though they can occur in all decades of life. They are frequently unreported to physicians. To the investigators' knowledge, no epidemiological studies have been conducted in Switzerland, but in a general population survey carried out in the UK (n=233), the overall prevalence of NLC was 37% and the disorder was more prevalent in older subjects (\>80 years old: 54%). Of those who experienced NLC, 40% had cramps three or more times per week and 6% nightly. Another study performed in older US veterans (n=515) showed that 56% suffered from NLC. The precise cause of these cramps is unclear. Most NLC occurring in adults appear to be idiopathic, but potential contributing factors include low levels of certain minerals, extracellular fluid volume depletion and prolonged sitting or inappropriate leg position during sedentary activity. Research question : What are the prevalence and the main features of NLC in patients consulting primary care physicians (PCPs) in Geneva, and how do PCPs treat this affection? Primary objective : To compute the prevalence of NLC in patients consulting PCPs in Geneva, explore its main features (number, duration, severity and sleep disturbance) and assess how PCPs treat this affection. Study design : Prospective observational study using questionnaire and daily log completed by patients.
Interventions
Sponsors
University of Geneva, Switzerland
Study design
Observational model
ECOLOGIC_OR_COMMUNITY
Time perspective
CROSS_SECTIONAL
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
50 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Patients of 50 years old or more, * currently presenting NLC (The definition of NLC used for the purpose of the study is any cramp in the legs or feet, occurring during the sleep (eg long rest) period). * coming to the practice for a planned consultation.
Exclusion criteria
* Patients suffering from a terminal illness * from disorders affecting their ability to consent, * not speaking French * or not having a telephone.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Prevalence of NLC | Presence or absence of NLC will be checked during the time of recruitment for each participant PCP, with expected average of 1 to 6 months. | In order to compute the prevalence of NLC, the PCPs will be asked to specify for each patient coming for a planned consultation whether he/she has NLC, meets the inclusion criteria and accept to participate (group 1), has NLC, meets the inclusion criteria but refuses to participate (group 2) or has NLC but does not meet the inclusion criteria (group 3). For patients in the group 1 doctors will record the current date, the name and the first name, the gender, the date of birth and the phone number; for patients in the group 2 they will record the current date, the gender and the date of birth; and finally for patients in the group 3 they will record the current date, the gender, the date of birth and the exclusion criterion. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Duration of nocturnal leg cramps | During two weeks after recruitment | Voluntaries will record during two weeks the duration of cramps in a daily log. |
| Severity of pain related with nocturnal leg cramps | During two weeks after recruitment | Voluntaries will record the severity of cramps in a daily log, standardized on an analog numerical scale of 1 to 10 . |
| Severity of sleep disturbance related with nocturnal leg cramps | During two weeks after recruitment | Voluntaries will record the severity of sleep disturbance related with NLC, in a daily log, standardized on an analog numerical scale of 1 to 10. |
| Frequency of NLC | During two weeks after recruitment | Voluntaries will record during two weeks the number of cramps in a daily log. |
| Patient quality of life | 1 year after initial recruitment | Voluntaries will fill a SF36 questionnaire |
| Patient quality of sleep | 1 year after initial recruitment | Voluntaries will fill a PSQI questionnaire |
| Patient expectancies for nocturnal leg cramps treatment | Two weeks after recruitment | We will ask the voluntaries to specify the average pain and sleep disturbance related with NLC on analog numerical scale of 1 to 10. We'll then ask them what improvement they would expect from a treatment on the same analog numeric scale for pain and sleep disturbance. |
Countries
Switzerland
Outcome results
None listed