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.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
129
Primary care network
Geneva, Switzerland
Prevalence of NLC
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.
Time frame: 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.
Frequency of NLC
Voluntaries will record during two weeks the number of cramps in a daily log.
Time frame: During two weeks after recruitment
Duration of nocturnal leg cramps
Voluntaries will record during two weeks the duration of cramps in a daily log.
Time frame: During two weeks after recruitment
Severity of pain related with nocturnal leg cramps
Voluntaries will record the severity of cramps in a daily log, standardized on an analog numerical scale of 1 to 10 .
Time frame: During two weeks after recruitment
Severity of sleep disturbance related with nocturnal leg cramps
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.
Time frame: During two weeks after recruitment
Patient expectancies for nocturnal leg cramps treatment
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.
Time frame: Two weeks after recruitment
Patient quality of life
Voluntaries will fill a SF36 questionnaire
Time frame: 1 year after initial recruitment
Patient quality of sleep
Voluntaries will fill a PSQI questionnaire
Time frame: 1 year after initial recruitment
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