RLS 在英国总人群中的发生率为 5% 至 10%。[3]Van De Vijver DA, Walley T, Petri H. Epidemiology of restless legs syndrome as diagnosed in UK primary care. Sleep Med. 2004;5:435-440.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15341887?tool=bestpractice.com在美国,每月症状出现天数> 5 的患者发生率为 10%。发生率随年龄的增长而增加:< 30 岁的人群中为 3%,30 至 79 岁的人群中为 10%,> 79 岁的人群中为 19%。[4]Phillips B, Young T, Finn L, et al. Epidemiology of restless legs symptoms in adults. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160:2137-2141.http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/160/14/2137http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10904456?tool=bestpractice.com一项基于美国的研究显示,男性和女性的总发病率分别为 8% 和 11%,不过每晚都有症状的男性和女性患者发病率分别为 5% 和 6%。[5]Phillips B, Hening W, Britz P, et al. Prevalence and correlates of restless legs syndrome: results from the 2005 National Sleep Foundation Poll. Chest. 2006;129:76-80.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16424415?tool=bestpractice.com美国东北部人口中的发病率较低,而南部人口中的发病率高于美国其他地区。[5]Phillips B, Hening W, Britz P, et al. Prevalence and correlates of restless legs syndrome: results from the 2005 National Sleep Foundation Poll. Chest. 2006;129:76-80.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16424415?tool=bestpractice.com一项加拿大调查显示总发病率为 15%,法裔加拿大人中的发病率高于加拿大其他部分的发病率。[6]Lavigne GJ, Montplaisir JY. Restless legs syndrome and sleep bruxism: prevalence and association among Canadians. Sleep. 1994;17:739-743.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7701186?tool=bestpractice.com英国临床确诊的 RLS 的发病率数据有限,已显示低于总人群值;这可能由首诊医生对该疾病缺少认识所致。[3]Van De Vijver DA, Walley T, Petri H. Epidemiology of restless legs syndrome as diagnosed in UK primary care. Sleep Med. 2004;5:435-440.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15341887?tool=bestpractice.com在 65% 的受影响患者中,症状在夜间加重。[5]Phillips B, Hening W, Britz P, et al. Prevalence and correlates of restless legs syndrome: results from the 2005 National Sleep Foundation Poll. Chest. 2006;129:76-80.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16424415?tool=bestpractice.com