Prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIM

There has been increased interest in sleep disorders in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Studies in North America and Europe reported that the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) is much higher in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) than in the general population. The aim of this study was to reveal the prevalence and clinical features of RLS in Japanese patients with IBD and investigate the influence of RLS on sleep quality and quality of life (QOL).

METHODS

The study included 80 outpatients with IBD who visited Nagasaki University Hospital between December 2012 and July 2014. All patients completed the international RLS study group rating scale, a validated measure of the presence of RLS. Sleep quality was assessed using the Japanese version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and health-related QOL was assessed using the Japanese version of the 36-item short form healthy profile (SF-36) version 2.

RESULTS

The prevalence of RLS in patients with IBD was 20%, including rates of 21.7% in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and 17.6% in patients with CD. Among patients with CD, the proportion of women and serum level of CRP were higher in the RLS group than in the non-RLS group. Among those with UC, there were no differences in clinical characteristics between the RLS and non-RLS groups. Patients in the RLS group slept significantly less well than those in the non-RLS group (PSQI > 5; 62.5 vs. 34.4%, P < 0.05). No significant relationships were observed between QOL indices and the presence of RLS (SF-36 physical score, 46.8 vs. 50.1; mental score, 43.8 vs. 45.7; role/social score, 48.1 vs. 49.2).

CONCLUSIONS

RLS occurs frequently in Japanese patients with UC as well as CD. RLS affects sleep quality but not QOL, and it should be considered one of the causes of sleep disturbance in patients with IBD.

Restless Legs Syndrome and Sleep Quality in Patients on Hemodialysis

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common health problem in patients on hemodialysis. This descriptive study was carried out with patients from a hemodialysis unit in the province of Eskişehir, Turkey. Of the 317 patients in the unit, 244 (77.0%) comprised the study group. RLS was assessed by diagnostic criteria defined by the International RLS Working Group, sleep quality by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and depression by the Beck Depression Inventory. RLS was found in 15.6% of patients and was associated with depression and sleep quality. Sleep quality is impaired with the increasing severity of RLS. RLS is an important health problem in patients on hemodialysis.

New concepts in the management of restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease (WED) is a neurological condition with an overall prevalence in adults of 5-10% in Europe and North America. It is characterised by strong feelings of restlessness and distressing paraesthesia-like sensations in the lower legs, particularly when at rest. The symptoms vary considerably in severity and frequency. RLS/WED has a variable clinical expression influenced by genetic, environmental, and medical factors. Research into the pathophysiology of RLS/WED has found that various genetic markers and existing dysfunctions in dopaminergic mechanisms and iron mechanisms play a central role. Until recently, the first line treatment of RLS/WED was with low dose dopamine agonists, with three drugs having been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. However, the occurrence of dopaminergic augmentation and an overall increase in severity of symptoms during long term treatment with dopamine agonists is leading to a shift towards non-dopaminergic alternatives as initial treatments, and particularly to α₂δ ligands. Recent international guidelines recommend, whenever possible, to start treatment with these drugs (α₂δ ligands) to avoid augmentation from the start. Other (eg, glutamatergic or adenosine) neurotransmitters might also play an important role in causing RLS/WED and might thus lead to new treatments.

Prevalence and associated comorbidities of restless legs syndrome (RLS): Data from a large population-based door-to-door survey on 19176 adults in Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND

Discrepancies have been reported in the prevalence rate of restless legs syndrome (RLS) among different ethnic groups and geographic populations. Furthermore, there are disagreements on determinant factors and associated comorbidities of RLS. We aimed to estimate prevalence of RLS and investigate its associated comorbid conditions and risk factors in a large population-based door-to-door survey.

METHODS

Following a multistage random sampling from the households lived in 22 urban districts of Tehran, Iran, 19176 participants with ≥30 years of age were recruited. Trained surveyors filled study checklist consisting of baseline characteristics, risk factors and comorbidity profile and the International RLS Study Group (IRLSSG) diagnostic criteria through face-to-face interviews.

RESULTS

In total, 1580 individuals were positively screened for RLS resulting in a standardized prevalence rate of 60.0/1000. There was a gradual increase in RLS prevalence by advancing age, however, sex difference disappeared after adjustment. Parkinsonism [adjusted odds' ratio (adj-OR) = 7.4 (95% CI: 5.3-10.4)], peripheral neuropathy [adj-OR = 3.7 (95% CI: 3.3-4.1)], subjective cognitive impairment (SCI) [adj-OR = 3.1 (95% CI: 2.7-3.4)], acting out dreams [adj-OR = 2.8 (95% CI: 2.5-3.2)], hyposmia [adj-OR = 2.5 (95% CI: 2.2-2.9)], active smoking [adj-OR = 1.5 (95% CI: 1.3-1.9)] and additional number of cardiometabolic diseases associated with higher risk of RLS [adj-OR = 1.6 (95% CI: 1.2-2.3)].

CONCLUSION

Our findings showed that neuro-cognitive co-morbidities such as parkinsonism, peripheral neuropathy, SCI, acting out dreams and hyposmia as well as cardio-metabolic risk factors and diseases were independent determinants of RLS. It is recommended to screen individuals with either these comorbid conditions for RLS or the ones with RLS for the accompanying diseases.

Periodic limb movements and restless legs syndrome in children with a history of prematurity

INTRODUCTION

Little is known about the pediatric population at an increased risk of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD). Polysomnographic data from the Caffeine for Apnea of Prematurity-Sleep (CAPS) study showed a high prevalence of elevated periodic limb movement index (PLMI) in a cohort of ex-preterm children, but the clinical importance of this finding, such as association with RLS, is unknown. We hypothesized that ex-preterm children would have a high prevalence of RLS and PLMD.

METHODS

Ex-preterm children enrolled in CAPS, now aged 5-12 years, completed home polysomnography (PSG) and standardized questionnaires. A diagnosis of RLS or PLMD was established by participants meeting the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, 3rd edition, criteria based on questionnaires and polysomnograms. The clinically available serum ferritin levels were assessed.

RESULTS

In total, 167 participants underwent polysomnography and completed all questionnaires. The overall prevalence of RLS was 14/167 (8.4%). An additional 13 subjects (7.8%) were found to have PLMD. Of the 26 participants who had PLMI > 5/h, seven (26.9%) had RLS and 13 (50%) had PLMD. The serum ferritin levels were <50 mcg/L (range -38.4) for all eight participants referred for testing.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with a history of prematurity have a high prevalence of RLS, particularly those with elevated periodic limb movements. Iron deficiency likely contributes to RLS and PLMD symptoms in this population. Clinicians evaluating ex-preterm children with sleep disturbances should evaluate for RLS and PLMD. Further studies including serum ferritin evaluation are required to confirm these findings.

Depth and Distribution of Symptoms in Restless Legs Syndrome/ Willis-Ekbom Disease

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To determine the depth and distribution of sensory discomfort in idiopathic restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS) and RLS concurrent with other leg conditions, specifically peripheral neuropathy, sciatica, leg cramps, and arthritis.

METHODS

RLS subjects (n = 122) were divided into 71 idiopathic RLS and 51 RLS-C, or Comorbid, groups. All subjects were examined by an RLS expert, answered standardized RLS questionnaires, and received a body diagram to draw the location and depth of their symptoms.

RESULTS

Age was 63.04 ± 12.84 years, with 77 females and 45 males. All patients had lower limb involvement and 43/122 (35.25%) also had upper limb involvement. Of the 122 subjects, 42.62% felt that the RLS discomfort was only deep, 9.84% felt that the discomfort was only superficial, and 47.54% felt both superficial and deep discomfort. There were no defining characteristics in depth or distribution of RLS sensations that differentiated those patients with idiopathic RLS from those patients with RLS associated with other comorbid leg conditions. The sensation of arthritis was felt almost exclusively in the joints and not in the four quadrants of the leg, whereas the exact opposite was true of RLS sensations.

CONCLUSIONS

Depth and distribution cannot be used as a discriminative mechanism to separate out idiopathic RLS from RLS comorbid with other leg conditions. Although seen in clinical practice, the total absence of patients with non-painful RLS only in the joints in the current study attests to the rarity of this presentation and raises the possibility of misdiagnosis under these circumstances. We recommend that such patients not be admitted to genetic or epidemiological studies.

Comorbidity of Migraine and Restless Legs Syndrome—A Case-Control Study

In order to evaluate a possible association between migraine and restless legs syndrome (RLS), we performed a case-control study on the comorbidity of RLS and migraine. Patients with migraine ( n = 411) and 411 sex- and age-matched control subjects were included. Migraine was diagnosed according to International Headache Society criteria, RLS according to the criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Furthermore, all patients had to fill out a self-assessment test performance on depression [Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI)]. RLS frequency was significantly higher in migraine patients than in control subjects (17.3% vs. 5.6%, P < 0.001; odds ratio 3.5, confidence interval 2.2, 5.8). In our sample, there was no significant association between migraine and depression as defined by the BDI score (9.6% in migraine vs. 4.0% in control subjects, P = 0.190). Depression was, however, not significantly more frequent in migraine patients with RLS (13.6%) than in migraine patients without RLS (8.7%). In addition, migraine patients with RLS had a significantly higher BDI score. RLS features did not differ significantly between migraine patients with RLS and control subjects with RLS. There is an association between RLS and migraine and, in addition, a co-association with depression. The underlying mechanism, however, remains undetermined and might be related to a dysfunction of dopaminergic metabolism in migraine.

Is There an Association between Restless Legs Syndrome and Urticaria?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a disease characterized by the urge to move the legs and sleep disturbances. Similarly, chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a dermatological disease characterized by pruritus and sleep disorders. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of RLS in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and to compare the quality of sleep of patients with and without RLS in the CSU group using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. A total of 130 patients with CSU and 100 healthy controls were included in this study. The frequency of RLS, frequency of sleep disturbances, and average score of RLS in patients with CSU were statistically significantly higher than control groups (respectively P = 0.008, P = 0.009, P = 0.004). Subjective sleep quality, sleep latency and habitual sleep efficiency scores in patients with RLS were statistically significantly higher than patients without RLS (respectively P = 0.016, P = 0.007, P = 0.035). We claimed that pruritus of urticaria may decrease the quality of sleep in patients with RLS and it may trigger and worsen the restless legs syndrome. Furthermore, RLS and CSU may share a common etiology.

Sleep Characteristics in Early Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease in the HypnoLaus Cohort

STUDY OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the association between early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and sleep disordered breathing (SDB), restless legs syndrome (RLS), and subjective and objective sleep quality (SQ).

METHODS

Cross-sectional analysis of a general population-based cohort (HypnoLaus). 1,760 adults (862 men, 898 women; age 59.3 (± 11.4) y) underwent complete polysomnography at home.

RESULTS

8.2% of participants had mild CKD (stage 1-2, estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR] ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m(2) with albuminuria) and 7.8% moderate CKD (stage 3, eGFR 30-60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). 37.3% of our sample had moderate-to-severe SDB (apnea-hypopnea index [AHI] ≥ 15/h) and 15.3% had severe SDB (AHI ≥ 30/h). SDB prevalence was positively associated with CKD stages and negatively with eGFR. In multivariate analysis, age, male sex, and body mass index were independently associated with SDB (all P < 0.001), but kidney function was not. The prevalence of RLS was 17.5%, without difference between CKD stages. Periodic leg movements index (PLMI) was independently associated with CKD stages. Subjective and objective SQ decreased and the use of sleep medication was more frequent with declining kidney function. Older age, female sex, and the severity of SDB were the strongest predictors of poor SQ in multivariate regression analysis but CKD stage was also independently associated with reduced objective SQ.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with early stages of CKD have impaired SQ, use more hypnotic drugs, and have an increased prevalence of SDB and PLM. After controlling for confounders, objective SQ and PLMI were still independently associated with declining kidney function.

Self-Reported Migraine and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Are More Prevalent in People with Myofascial vs Nonmyofascial Temporomandibular Disorders

AIMS

To compare the number of comorbidities and the prevalence of five specific comorbidities in people who have temporomandibular disorders (TMD) with or without myofascial pain.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 180 patients seeking TMD treatment in Boston and Montreal hospitals. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on sociodemographic and behavioral factors, as well as the presence of the following five comorbidities: migraine, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, interstitial cystitis, and restless leg syndrome. TMD was diagnosed using the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD. Chi-square and Student t tests were used for categorical and continuous variables, respectively, to test for differences between myofascial (n = 121) and nonmyofascial (n = 59) TMD groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to compare the type and number of self-reported comorbidities in both groups, controlling for confounding variables.

RESULTS

The following were found to be significantly higher in the myofascial TMD group than in the nonmyofascial TMD group: self-reported migraine (55% vs 28%, P = .001), chronic fatigue syndrome (19% vs 5%, P = .01), and the mean total number of comorbidities (1.30 vs 0.83, P = .01).

CONCLUSION

Individuals with myofascial TMD had a higher prevalence of self-reported migraine and chronic fatigue syndrome than those with nonmyofascial TMD.

Association of incident restless legs syndrome with outcomes in a large cohort of US veterans

Restless legs syndrome is a common sleep disorder, but there is a paucity of large cohort studies examining the association of restless legs syndrome with clinical outcomes, including all-cause mortality, incident coronary heart disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease. From a nationally representative prospective cohort of over 3 million US veterans [93% male, median follow-up time of 8.1 years (interquartile range: 7.0-8.5 years)] with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥ 60 mL min(-1) 1.73 m(-2), a propensity-matched cohort of 7392 patients was created, and the association between incident restless legs syndrome and the following was examined: (1) all-cause mortality; (2) incident coronary heart disease; (3) incident strokes; and (4) incident chronic kidney disease defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 mL min(-1) 1.73 m(-2). Associations were examined using Cox models. The mean ± SD age of the propensity-matched cohort at baseline was 59 ± 12 years; 89 and 8% of patients were white and black, respectively; 31% of the patients were diabetic; and the mean baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate was 83.9 ± 15.1 mL min(-1) 1.73 m(-2). Propensity matching resulted in a balanced cohort, with the disappearance in baseline differences in comorbidities. Compared with restless legs syndrome-negative patients, incident restless legs syndrome was associated with 88% higher mortality risk [hazard ratio and 95% confidence interval: 1.88 (1.70-2.08)], and almost four times higher risk of coronary heart disease and stroke [hazard ratio: 3.97 (3.26-4.84) and 3.89 (3.07-4.94), respectively]. The risk of incident chronic kidney disease was also significantly higher in incident restless legs syndrome patients [hazard ratio: 3.17 (2.74-3.66)] compared with restless legs syndrome-negative counterparts. In this large and contemporary cohort of US veterans, incident restless legs syndrome was associated with higher risk of mortality, incident coronary heart disease, stroke and chronic kidney disease.

Incidence of Augmentation in Primary Restless Legs Syndrome Patients May Not Be That High: Evidence From A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Augmentation is a common complication of primary restless legs syndrome (RLS) during treatment; however, its incidence rate remains unclear.The aim of this study is investigate the rate of augmentation during RLS treatment.We searched 6 databases, including PubMed, OVID, Embase, Wiley citations, Web of Science research platform (including SciELO Citation Index, Medline, KCI Korean Journal Database, the Web of Science™ Core Collection), and the Cochrane library, and screened the reference lists of the included trials and recently published reviews.Randomized controlled trials and observational studies that reported augmentation events during RLS treatment.Primary RLS patients older than 18 years.No restrictions regarding intervention types were applied.Three investigators independently extracted and pooled the data to analyze the augmentation rate of the total sample and of patient subgroups with different interventions, treatment durations and drug regimens and different geographic origins. Fixed-effects or random-effects model was used for pooled analysis.A total of 60 studies involving 11,543 participants suggested an overall augmentation rate of 5.6% (95% confidence intervals (CI), 4.0-7.7). The augmentation incidence was 6.1% (95% CI, 4.1-9.1) for long-term treatment and 3.3% (95% CI, 1.4-7.3) for short-term treatment. In addition, 27.1% (95% CI, 12.3-49.5) of the levodopa-treated patients, 6.0% (95% CI, 4.1-8.8) of the patients treated with dopamine agonists, and 0.9% (95% CI, 0.2-3.3) of the patients taking pregabalin or gabapentin developed augmentation. Augmentation occurred in 7.2% (95% CI, 5.0-10.3) of the patients taking immediate-release drugs and in 1.7% (95% CI, 0.6-5.0) of the patients taking transdermal application.The main limitations are that the augmentation rates were not evaluated according to drug dosage, gender, and age and symptom severity.Approximately 5 to 6 in 100 RLS patients developed augmentation during treatment.

The Humanistic and Economic Burden of Restless Legs Syndrome

Objectives

To evaluate the humanistic and economic burden of a restless legs syndrome (RLS) diagnosis with regard to health-related quality of life, work productivity loss, healthcare resource use, and direct and indirect costs.

Study Design

Self-reported data came from the 2012 National Health and Wellness Survey (NHWS), a large, annual, nationally representative cross-sectional general health survey of US adults.

Methods

RLS patients (n = 2,392) were matched on demographic and health characteristics to Non-RLS respondents via propensity score matching differences between groups were tested with Bivariate and multivariable analyses.

Results

RLS patients had significantly lower health-related quality of life scores: Mental Component Summary (44.60 vs. 48.92, p<.001), Physical Component Summary (40.57 vs. 46.78, p<.001), Health Utilities (.63 vs. .71, p<.001) and higher levels of work productivity loss in the past seven days including absenteeism (8.1% vs. 9.3%, p<.001), presenteeism (26.5% vs. 15.8%, p<.001), and overall productivity loss (30.1% vs. 18.1%, p<.001) as well as general activity impairment (46.1% vs. 29.7%, p<.001). RLS patients had significantly higher healthcare resource use in the past 6 months than non-RLS patients: healthcare provider visits (7.46 vs. 4.42%, p<.001), ER visits (0.45 vs. 0.24, p<.001), and hospitalizations (0.24 vs. 0.15, p<.001). RLS patients also had higher estimated direct and indirect costs than non-RLS patients. Finally, it was found that across outcomes increasing severity is associated with increased economic and humanistic burden for RLS patients.

Conclusions

RLS patients suffer a greater humanistic and economic burden than those without RLS. Moreover as severity increases so does the burden of RLS.

Musculoskeletal pain is associated with restless legs syndrome in young adults

BACKGROUND

In recent years, there is considerable evidence of a relationship between the sensorimotor disorder restless legs syndrome (RLS) and pain disorders, including migraine and fibromyalgia. An association between multi-site pain and RLS has been reported in adult women. In the current study, we explored the association between musculoskeletal (MSK) pain and RLS in a large cohort of young adults.

METHODS

Twenty two year olds (n = 1072), followed since birth of part of the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study, provided data on MSK pain (duration, severity, frequency, number of pain sites). RLS was considered present when 4 diagnostic criteria recommended by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group were met (urge to move, dysaesthesia, relief by movement, worsening symptoms during the evening/night) and participants had these symptoms at least 5 times per month. Associations between MSK pain and RLS were analyzed by multivariable logistic regression with bias-corrected bootstrapped confidence intervals, with final models adjusted for sex, psychological distress and sleep quality.

RESULTS

The prevalence of RLS was 3.0 % and MSK pain was reported by 37.4 % of the participants. In multivariable logistic regression models, strong associations were found between RLS-diagnosis and long duration (three months or more) of MSK pain (odds ratio 3.6, 95 % confidence interval 1.4-9.2) and reporting three or more pain sites (4.9, 1.6-14.6).

CONCLUSIONS

Different dimensions of MSK pain were associated with RLS in young adults, suggestive of shared pathophysiological mechanisms. Overlap between these conditions requires more clinical and research attention.

Corrigendum

Stefan Seidel, Andreas Böck, Werner Schlegel, Arzu Kilic, Gudrun Wagner, Gloria Gelbmann, Almut Hübenthal, Incifer Kanbur, Sofia Natriashvili, Andreas Karwautz, Christian Wöber and Ҫiҫek Wöber-Bingöl. Increased RLS prevalence in children and adolescents with migraine: A case-control study. Cephalalgia 2012; 32: 693-699. DOI: 10.1177/0333102412446207. In the published version of this article, Table 2 was printed incorrectly. The authors apologize for this mistake.

RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME AND INSOMNIA FREQUENCY IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIASIS

BACKGROUND

To assess the prevalence and severity of RLS in psoriasis patients and to investigate its effects on sleep and quality of life.

METHODS

Seventy patients with psoriasis in Trakya University Medical Faculty Dermatology Department and also applied to Neurology Department in the same center and 70 volunteer controls were enrolled in the study. Severity of the Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) was determined using International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) criteria among the patients who have been diagnosed with RLS based on IRLSSG criteria. The presence of insomnia in patients was detected using International Classification of Sleep Disorders (ICSD-II) criteria. Additionally, to evaluate the severity of the disease and quality of life, Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) and Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) tests were applied to the patients with psoriasis.

RESULTS

RLS frequency in patients with psoriasis was 28 (40%) compared to the control group 10 (14.2%), and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). IRLSSG severity scores were higher in patients with psoriasis who had insomnia secondary to RLS compared to those who did not have insomnia (p<0.001). The mean values of PASI were 7.54 +/- 6.52 in the presence of insomnia and 3.27 +/- 2.69 in the absence of insomnia. The difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). No significant difference was found in DLQI scores between patients with RLS and without RLS or between patients with and without insomnia (p>0.05).

DISCUSSIONS

RLS frequency in patients with psoriasis was significantly higher than in the control group. In addition, we found that RLS is more common but RLS severity was mildly high in patients with psoriasis relative to controls. However, there was a correlation between the increase in severity of RLS with secondary insomnia patients who were diagnosed with RLS. It may be beneficial to consider RLS and insomnia for each patient diagnosed with psoriasis.

Psoriasis and sleep disorders: A systematic review

Psoriasis is an immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disorder which manifests as dermatologic lesions, and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in about 30% of cases. Psoriasis is associated with multiple comorbidities including metabolic syndrome, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular events, obesity and psychiatric disorders, which can all affect the course of sleep disorders. A systematic review of the literature on the relationship between psoriasis, PsA, and formal sleep disorders identified 33 studies. There is an increased prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with 36%-81.8% prevalence in psoriasis versus 2%-4% in the general population. There was also an increase in the prevalence of restless legs syndrome of 15.1%-18% in psoriasis versus 5%-10% in European and North American samples. The wide variety of insomnia criteria used in studies resulted in an insomnia prevalence of 5.9%-44.8% in psoriasis, which is insufficient to show an elevated prevalence when the general population has a 10% prevalence of chronic insomnia and 30-35% prevalence of transient insomnia. There is evidence that symptoms of insomnia in psoriasis are directly mediated by pruritus and pain. Treatments that decrease the cutaneous symptoms in psoriasis were successful in mitigating insomnia, but did not show improvements in OSA where the relationship with psoriasis is multifactorial.

[RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME--WILLIS-EKBOM DISEASE]

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder with a high prevalence (10% in Caucasian populations). It is a purely clinical diagnosis characterized by an urge to move the lower limbs usually accompanied or caused by unpleasant sensations in the legs with an improvement in symptoms with movement. These sensations occur during inactivity or at rest and worsen in the evening or at night. RLS may not only impact the quality of life for an individual, but may also increase mortality. Disease markers such as genetic predispositions have been identified, as well as reduced iron stores with altered intracerebral iron homeostasis and dopaminergic dysfunction. Medication is often necessary in severe forms, with low doses of dopaminergic agonists being the first-line of treatment. The use of α2δ ligands is an alternative. Finally benzodiazepines and opioid medications can be effective in refractory cases. In less severe forms of RLS, a non-pharmacological approach is usually sufficient with avoidance of stimulants and correction of contributing factors.

Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease and Growing Pains in Children and Adolescents

Recent studies have shown that restless legs syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) are common in pediatric population. The diagnostic criteria for Pediatric RLS have recently been updated to simplify and integrate with newly revised adult RLS criteria. Management of RLS and PLMD involves pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions. Children with low iron storage are likely to benefit from iron therapy. Although, there is limited information on pharmacologic therapy, there are emerging literatures showing the effectiveness of dopaminergic medications in the management of RLS and PLMD in children. This article covers clinical evaluation of RLS and PLMD in children and the relationship with growing pains.

Willis-Ekbom Disease or Restless Legs Syndrome?

BACKGROUND

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) or Willis-Ekbom Disease (WED) is highly prevalent, but patients and healthcare providers alike know little about it. Furthermore, controversy persists as to the best way of diagnosing this nosological entity.

OBJECTIVE

To verify whether the term used to refer to this disease entity (Restless Legs Syndrome or Willis-Ekbom Disease) affects the prevalence of self-diagnosed RLS/WED in a sample of newly graduated physicians.

METHODS

Newly graduated physicians were asked to self-evaluate for the presence of RLS/WED. Briefly, participants were allocated randomly across two groups. One was asked to self-assess for RLS, while the other was asked to self-assess for WED. The evaluation form given to one group asked 'Do you have Restless Legs Syndrome?' whereas the form given to participants in the other group asked 'Do you have Willis-Ekbom Disease?'. Both forms also contained the four criteria for diagnosing RLS proposed by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) and instructions for self-diagnosis according to these criteria.

RESULTS

The study sample comprised 1413 newly graduated physicians. Of the 708 participants who were given the form that used the term RLS, 87 (12.28%) diagnosed themselves with the condition. Conversely, of 705 physicians given the form with the term WED, 13 (1.84%) diagnosed themselves with the condition (p <0.0001).

CONCLUSION

A greater proportion of newly graduated physicians diagnosed themselves with RLS/WED when presented with the term Restless Legs Syndrome than when presented with the term Willis-Ekbom Disease. This suggests that the term Restless Legs Syndrome may not be the most appropriate term to denote this nosological entity.

Management of Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease in Hospitalized and Perioperative Patients

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder that can cause significant discomfort, impaired quality of life, poor mood, and disturbed sleep. Because the disorder is chronic and associated with multiple comorbidities, RLS can be seen in an inpatient or perioperative setting. Certain characteristics of the hospitalized or surgical context can exacerbate or unmask RLS. Importantly, RLS and the associated discomfort and insomnia can prolong hospital stay and negatively impact outcomes. RLS medications should be continued during the hospital admission when possible. Avoidance of excessive phlebotomy and medications known to trigger RLS is helpful. Patients should increase activity when acceptable.

[Sleep and sleep disorders in the elderly: Part 3: Restless legs syndrome]

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a commonly occurring condition with a prevalence of approximately 10%. Women are more often affected than men. There is a primary and a secondary form. Secondary RLS is triggered by iron deficiency, severe renal insufficiency and many drugs and medications. The treatment for RLS is always symptomatic. In addition to treating associated diseases, dopaminergic therapy is paramount. Pharmacotherapy encompasses levodopa (L-dopa) and dopamine agonists, such as pramipexole, ropinirole and rotigotine. A serious complication of dopaminergic therapy is the so-called augmentation. In the case of insufficient efficacy, severe discomfort or augmentation, oxycodone/naloxone is now approved for the treatment of RLS.

Turkish version of the Johns Hopkins Restless Legs Syndrome Quality of Life Questionnaire (RLS-QoL): validity and reliability study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), as well as problems secondary to RLS, may worsen the quality of life. Our aim was to modify the Restless Legs Syndrome Quality of Life (RLS-QoL) questionnaire advanced by Abetz (Health Qual Life Outcomes 3:79, 2005) and to analyse the validity and reliability of the questionnaire.

METHODS

Two hundred and one consecutive patients with RLS and forty-three control subjects were included in the study. Permission regarding the translation and validation of the RLS-QoL questionnaire was obtained. The translation was conducted according to the guidelines provided by the publisher.

RESULTS

For the RLS subjects, the mean Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) score, the International Restless Legs Syndrome Severity Rating Scale (IRLSSG) score and the computed score of the RLS-QoL questionnaire were 22.60 ± 3.39, 24.83 ± 5.28 and 45.93 ± 17.62, respectively. Among the RLS subjects without insomnia, the mean (±standard deviation) ISI score, IRLSSG score and computed score of the RLS-QoL questionnaire were 6.67 ± 2.34, 15.11 ± 4.03 and 41.93 ± 16.12, respectively. A significant difference was identified between both groups on all scores (ISI: p = 0.001, RLS: p = 0.001). The groups with and without insomnia were similar regarding the computed score of the RLS-QoL questionnaire (p = 0.140). According to a correlation analysis, a significant correlation was identified between the ISI and IRLSSG or RLS-QoL scores (r = 0.513, p = 0.001 and r = -0.383, p = 0.001, respectively). Although the coefficient of correlation is significant between IRLSSG score and RLS-QoL scale score, it should not be considered as a powerful enough correlation (r = 0.190, p = 0.007). Most items also exhibited a strong correlation with each other. The internal consistency determined by Cronbach's alpha indicated an extremely good correlation (0.975).

DISCUSSION

These findings suggest the Turkish version of the RLS-QoL questionnaire is a valid and reliable tool for the assessment of the quality of life in patients with RLS.

Prevalence of restless legs syndrome and sleep quality in carriers of the fragile X premutation

This study examined the relationship between the fragile X premutation and restless legs syndrome (RLS). Demographic, medical history and survey responses related to sleep were collected from 213 participants (127 carriers and 86 age matched controls). Subjects were asked about the presence of the four formal diagnostic criteria for RLS. Individuals with the premutation were 1.9 times as likely to meet criteria for RLS (95% CI 1.1–3.2, p=0.025) as controls. Premutation carriers with RLS also experienced significantly worse symptoms than matched controls with adjusted mean scores of 15.1±8.8 vs 7.9±4.4, respectively on the International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS). As markers for domains of sleep disturbance, all subjects completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISA) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Premutation carriers demonstrated significantly more pathology on these tests except for the ESS where there was a trend towards increased daytime sleepiness in carriers. RLS joins a host of other conditions that should be carefully screened for in those carrying the fragile X premutation and sleep should be a focus for clinicians providing care to them.