Have there been studies about wed and geography?

[rthom]

Have there been studies about wed and geography?
Is this something that is more common in the western world, or in the places with more poverty etc?
Anybody know?

[ViewsAskew]

It's related to Northern European genes. People have it in other climes, but is Asia it's the least.

Not related to socio-economic factors. It's been in the medical literature for over 400 years (first wrote about by Willis), studied a lot in the 1930's and 40's by Dr Ekbom, then forgotten about until the mid 80's. Studies didn't really ramp up until the late 90's, though. There are studies in Europe, Asia, North America, I assume in Australia, though am not sure. Haven't seen much by way of South America, but could have just missed it.

[rthom]

I think i'm supposed to be Dutch, French and German, any ring a bell?

[ViewsAskew]

As far as I know, none of the individual countries have a higher rate. Europe, in general, has a high rate, so does the US, as many of us are of European descent. It doesn't matter in terms of treating it. Even if you were Asian where there is a 1-3% rate, vs up to a 11% rate in Europe, you'd still have it, unfortunately.

[badnights]

you could do a search on Pubmed for RLS epidemiology

[rthom]

ty