IRLS · 3 minutes

Restless legs syndrome severity (IRLS)

Reflect on the past week. Ten questions about leg discomfort, sleep impact, and daytime functioning. Result categorises severity and points to evidence-based management options.

← All self-assessments

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Question 1

Overall, how would you rate the RLS discomfort in your legs or arms?

Educational tool — not a diagnosis. International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) rating scale, Walters et al. 2003. Standard severity instrument adopted globally.

Frequently asked

Plain-language answers about restless legs, this screener, and what evaluation costs at a Class A hospital in China.

What's the IRLS severity grading?
0 none; 1–10 mild; 11–20 moderate; 21–30 severe; 31–40 very severe. Scores of 15 or above conventionally support pharmacological management alongside lifestyle measures.
What's the workup for RLS?
Evaluation includes serum ferritin (target ≥ 75–100 ng/mL — iron deficiency is a major modifiable contributor), TSH, B12, magnesium, and renal function. Polysomnography is rarely needed for typical RLS but may be indicated to rule out concurrent OSA. Cost USD 80–160 at a Class A sleep medicine centre.
Treatment options?
First-line: iron supplementation if ferritin low; address contributors (caffeine, alcohol, antihistamines, antidepressants where possible). Pharmacotherapy: gabapentin enacarbil / pregabalin, dopamine agonists (with augmentation risk awareness), low-dose opioids in refractory cases. All available at Class A sleep / neurology departments.

About this screener

International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) rating scale, Walters et al. 2003. Standard severity instrument adopted globally.

What this screener covers

  • Restless legs syndrome(ICD-10 G25.81)

Medical review

Reviewed by Panda Touring Care medical team (Sleep medicine coordinator review) · last reviewed 2025-04-01