Nocturnal Leg Cramps in Geneva : an Observational Study

Study Overview
=================
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.

Official Title
-----------------
Prevalence, Main Features and Treatment of Nocturnal Leg Cramps in Geneva: A Primary Care Prospective Observational Study

Conditions
-----------------
Sleep Wake Transition Disorders, Nocturnal Leg Cramps

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Other: observational study, no intervention


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
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.

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
No

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Arms and Interventions

| Intervention/Treatment |
| --- |
|Other: observational study, no intervention|nan|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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. | 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. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Frequency of NLC | Voluntaries will record during two weeks the number of cramps in a daily log. | During two weeks after recruitment | 
| Duration of nocturnal leg cramps | Voluntaries will record during two weeks the duration of cramps in a daily log. | 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 . | 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. | 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. | Two weeks after recruitment | 
| Patient quality of life | Voluntaries will fill a SF36 questionnaire | 1 year after initial recruitment | 
| Patient quality of sleep | Voluntaries will fill a PSQI questionnaire | 1 year after initial recruitment |