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Millions at Risk of Having Debilitating Illness Misdiagnosed

As we find that as many as one in six of us could be at risk of being misdiagnosed in hospitals miscommunication between GPs and their patients could be leaving over 4 million people undiagnosed
Lifestyle - 29 June 2012   Download IconContent available for download:  
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Research has shown that as many as one in six of us could be at risk of being misdiagnosed in hospitals and surgeries across the UK. In one condition – Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) – misdiagnosis is likely to be particularly high and a new initiative sponsored by UCB reveals today that

miscommunication between GPs and their patients could be leaving up to 6.2 million people with RLS undiagnosed.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is described by sufferers as like ‘being plugged into an electric socket,’ or having ‘maggots in your legs,’ however GPs say expressions like these are a key reason why so many sufferers are misdiagnosed.

RLS can have a profound - and sometimes relentless - impact on sufferers, with over a third unable to work a full day. Many also find themselves losing hours of sleep each night, overwhelmed by the urge to move, creating a wider impact on mood, sociability and personal relationships. This revelation has sparked a campaign being launched today, which aims to break down these language barriers and raise the nation’s awareness and understanding of RLS.

. Introduction:

Misdiagnosis in GP surgeries and hospitals could mean that up to 6.2 million people are going without the correct treatment for a condition that can leave some sufferers unable to work a full day4. Patients having difficulty finding the right language to describe their symptoms, as well as a lack of symptom awareness on the part of the doctor have been revealed as key reasons why many patients with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) are misdiagnosed and remain untreated. With indistinct symptoms like having ‘maggots in your legs’, too many patients are left feeling anguished and confused as they live with this condition.

Today sees the launch of a new educational campaign which aims to address this breakdown in communication to ensure faster diagnosis of RLS and a greater public understanding of the condition.

Joining us to discuss this further is GP Dr Roger Henderson.