Pharmacologic and Nonpharmacologic Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome

Effects of Dietary Supplementation in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder. It disrupts sleep and well-being and is often associated with other conditions. This review examines the potential of dietary supplements to manage RLS symptoms and reduce reliance on medications. A total of 10 randomized clinical trials involving 482 participants were analyzed, focusing on the impact of various supplements on symptom severity, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness. Findings suggest some supplements may have positive results. Magnesium oxide and vitamin B6 significantly improved sleep quality and RLS symptoms, with magnesium showing greater effectiveness. Vitamin D supplementation did not show significant benefits. Oral iron has promising results, indicating potential efficacy but issues related to compliance and absorption. Both vitamins C and E positively affect RLS symptoms, likely due to their antioxidant properties. Valerian improved RLS and sleep but did not show a statistically significant improvement. Despite these encouraging results, a high risk of bias was noted in half of the studies, emphasizing the need for more rigorous research. Overall, this review suggests that dietary supplements may be a promising approach to managing RLS. However, further investigation is required to confirm the efficacy and safety.

A cross-sectional study on restless legs syndrome (RLS) in polycythemia vera (PV): is iron deficiency the only culprit?

INTRODUCTION

In polycythemia vera (PV) patients undergoing phlebotomy, iron deficiency (ID) may develop. ID has been linked to restless legs syndrome (RLS), and in one study, 29.6% of PV patients had RLS. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of RLS in PV and to evaluate factors that might play a role in RLS development among PV and essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients.

METHODS

We consecutively included PV cases as the patient group, and ET and ID patients and healthy subjects (HSs) were included as controls. Those with conditions that could lead to RLS were excluded. All subjects were questioned according to the diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven PV, 23 ET, and 22 ID patients and 23 HSs were included. RLS was detected in 25.9%, 34.8%, and 45.5% of PV, ET, and ID patients, respectively. None of the HSs had RLS. In univariate analysis, interferon-α and anagrelide use, magnesium levels, and the Leeds assessment of neuropathic symptoms and signs (LANSS) scores had a significant impact on RLS in PV and ET patients (p = 0.014, p = 0.032, p = 0.036, and p = 0.003, respectively).

CONCLUSION

RLS was more common among PV and ET patients than HSs, which was irrespective to the iron status. RLS was more frequent in ET patients than that observed in PV cases, indicating that ID may not be the only causative factor for RLS development in PV. Further prospective studies are needed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of RLS developing in PV and ET.

Restless Legs Syndrome in Chronic Kidney Disease- a Systematic Review

Objectives

The objective of this review is to provide updated information on the epidemiology, correlating factors and treatment of chronic kidney disease associated restless legs syndrome (CKD-A-RLS) in both adult and pediatric population.

Materials and Methods

We have reviewed the Medline search and Google Scholar search up to May 2022, using key words restless legs syndrome, chronic kidney disease and hemodialysis and kidney transplant. The reviewed articles were studied for epidemiology, correlating factors, as well as pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic treatment options.

Results

Our search revealed 175 articles, 111 were clinical trials or cross- sectional studies and 64 were review articles. All 111 articles were retrieved and studied in detail. Of these, 105 focused on adults and 6 on children. A majority of studies on dialysis patients reported a prevalence between 15-30%, which is notably higher than prevalence of RLS in general population (5-10%). The correlation between presence of CKD-A-RLS with age, gender, abnormalities of hemogram, iron, ferritin, serum lipids, electrolytes and parathyroid hormones were also reviewed. The results were inconsistent and controversial. Limited studies have reported on the treatment of CKD-A-RLS. Non-pharmacological treatment focused on the effect(s) of exercise, acupuncture, massage with different oils and infra-red light whereas, pharmacologic treatment options include the effects of dopaminergic drugs, Alpha2-Delta ligands (gabapentin and pregabalin), vitamins E and C, and intravenous iron infusion.

Conclusion

This updated review showed that RLS is two to three times more common in patients with CKD compared to the general population. More patients with CKD-A-RLS demonstrated increased mortality, increased incidence of cardiovascular accident, depression, insomnia and impaired quality of life than those with CKD without RLS. Dopaminergic drugs such as levodopa, ropinirole, pramipexole and rotigotine as well as calcium channel blockers (gabapentin and pregabalin) are helpful for treatment of RLS. High quality studies with these agents are currently underway and hopefully confirm the efficacy and practicality of using these drugs in CKD-A-RLS. Some studies have shown that aerobic exercise and massage with lavender oil can improve symptoms of CKD-A- RLS suggesting that these measures can be useful as adjunct therapy.

Therapeutic effects of magnesium and vitamin B6 in alleviating the symptoms of restless legs syndrome: a randomized controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease (RLS/WED) is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders. There are contradicting data about the effectiveness of magnesium and vitamin B6 in alleviating the symptoms of this condition. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of magnesium and vitamin B6 in alleviating the symptoms of RLS/WED.

METHODS

A single-blind study was conducted on individuals with this illness for at least three months. Randomly, 75 patients were assigned into three groups: magnesium, vitamin B6, and placebo. The experimental group received daily doses of 40 mg vitamin B6 or 250 mg magnesium oxide. While others in the control group merely received a placebo. Patients' disease severity and sleep quality were evaluated three times using standard questionnaires (at the beginning of the study, one and two months after therapy). Utilizing SPSS22 software and the ANOVA, t-test, and repeated measure tests, statistical analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

The mean and standard deviation of sleep quality and disease severity at the beginning of the trial and throughout the first month following the intervention did not differ statistically between the three groups. In the second month following the intervention, the mean and standard deviation of sleep quality and disease severity were significantly different (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Taking magnesium and vitamin B6 supplements can reduce the severity of symptoms of RLS/WED patients and improve their sleep quality.

Restless Legs Syndrome: Known Knowns and Known Unknowns

Although restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder, it remains poorly understood from both clinical and pathophysiological perspectives. RLS is classified among sleep-related movement disorders, namely, conditions characterized by simple, often stereotyped movements occurring during sleep. However, several clinical, neurophysiological and neuroimaging observations question this view. The aim of the present review is to summarize and query some of the current concepts (known knowns) and to identify open questions (known unknowns) on RLS pathophysiology. Based on several lines of evidence, we propose that RLS should be viewed as a disorder of sensorimotor interaction with a typical circadian pattern of occurrence, possibly arising from neurochemical dysfunction and abnormal excitability in different brain structures.

The Efficacy and Safety of Pharmacological Treatments for Restless Legs Syndrome: Systemic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Although various drugs are currently used for restless legs syndrome (RLS) in clinic, selecting appropriate drugs for patients is difficult. This network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of different drugs. After literature searching and screening, 46 trials, including 10,674 participants are included in this NMA. The pooled results showed that, compared with placebo, only levodopa is inefficient to relieve symptoms of RLS. Cabergoline decreases IRLS scores to the greatest extent among all drugs (MD −11.98, 95% CI −16.19 to −7.78). Additionally, pramipexole is superior to ropinirole in alleviating symptoms of RLS (MD −2.52, 95% CI −4.69 to −0.35). Moreover, iron supplement alleviates RLS symptoms significantly compared with placebo in patient with iron deficiency (MD −5.15, 95% CI −8.99 to −1.31), but not for RLS patients with normal serum ferritin level (MD −2.22, 95% CI −6.99 to 2.56). For primary RLS, these drugs are also effective, while there is insufficient data to analyze drug efficacy in secondary RLS. We analyzed risk of common adverse effects of drugs including nausea, somnolence, fatigue, headache and nasopharyngitis. Alpha-2-delta ligands and DAs are favorable choices for both primary and secondary RLS because of their significant efficacy and good tolerability. Iron supplement can significantly alleviate symptoms of RLS patients with iron deficiency than placebo. We recommend gabapentin, gabapentin enacarbil, and pregabalin for clinicians for first consideration mainly because that they rarely cause augmentation. Oxycodone-naloxone could be considered in patients with severe or very severe RLS who failed in treatment with above drugs.

Dopamine agonist responsive burning mouth syndrome: Report of eight cases

BACKGROUND

Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is characterized by burning sensation of the oral mucosa. There is a lack of effective treatment. In recent years, a special subtype of BMS has been reported, in which oral burning sensation is alleviated after chewing, speaking, or dopaminergic drug delivery. Currently, there are few reports about the subtype of BMS in China. This study was a retrospective analysis of the clinical data of BMS patients sensitive to dopamine agonist at our hospital, aiming to improve the recognition on this disease.

CASE SUMMARY

Eight patients diagnosed with dopamine agonist responsive BMS at the Liaocheng People's Hospital from January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2020 were recruited. The clinical manifestations, treatment, and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed. There were three male and five females in the eight patients. The median age was 56 years (range, 46-65 years). All the eight patients showed burning pain in the mouth. The symptoms were mild in the morning and severe in the evening, and alleviated after chewing, talking, and other oral activities. Four patients were accompanied by restless legs syndrome (RLS). Family history of RLS was positive in two patients. All patients were treated with pramipexol, and symptoms were basically relieved after 2-8 wk.

CONCLUSION

Dopamine agonist responsive BMS is a special subtype of BMS, which is alleviated after oral activities. Dopamine receptor agonist is an effective treatment.

The Pharmacology and Clinical Efficacy of Antiseizure Medications: From Bromide Salts to Cenobamate and Beyond

Epilepsy is one of the most common and disabling chronic neurological disorders. Antiseizure medications (ASMs), previously referred to as anticonvulsant or antiepileptic drugs, are the mainstay of symptomatic epilepsy treatment. Epilepsy is a multifaceted complex disease and so is its treatment. Currently, about 30 ASMs are available for epilepsy therapy. Furthermore, several ASMs are approved therapies in nonepileptic conditions, including neuropathic pain, migraine, bipolar disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder. Because of this wide spectrum of therapeutic activity, ASMs are among the most often prescribed centrally active agents. Most ASMs act by modulation of voltage-gated ion channels; by enhancement of gamma aminobutyric acid-mediated inhibition; through interactions with elements of the synaptic release machinery; by blockade of ionotropic glutamate receptors; or by combinations of these mechanisms. Because of differences in their mechanisms of action, most ASMs do not suppress all types of seizures, so appropriate treatment choices are important. The goal of epilepsy therapy is the complete elimination of seizures; however, this is not achievable in about one-third of patients. Both in vivo and in vitro models of seizures and epilepsy are used to discover ASMs that are more effective in patients with continued drug-resistant seizures. Furthermore, therapies that are specific to epilepsy etiology are being developed. Currently, ~ 30 new compounds with diverse antiseizure mechanisms are in the preclinical or clinical drug development pipeline. Moreover, therapies with potential antiepileptogenic or disease-modifying effects are in preclinical and clinical development. Overall, the world of epilepsy therapy development is changing and evolving in many exciting and important ways. However, while new epilepsy therapies are developed, knowledge of the pharmacokinetics, antiseizure efficacy and spectrum, and adverse effect profiles of currently used ASMs is an essential component of treating epilepsy successfully and maintaining a high quality of life for every patient, particularly those receiving polypharmacy for drug-resistant seizures.

Differential functional connectivity in thalamic and dopaminergic pathways in restless legs syndrome: a meta-analysis

Objective:

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder with alterations in somatosensory processing in association with a dysfunctional cerebral network, involving the basal ganglia, limbic network, and sensorimotor pathways. Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a powerful tool to provide in vivo insight into functional processing and as such is of special interest in RLS considering the widespread pattern of networks involved in this disorder. In this meta-analysis of resting state functional MRI studies, we analyzed the preponderance of functional connectivity changes associated with RLS and discussed possible links to sensorimotor dysfunction and somatosensory processing.

Methods:

A systematic research using the online library PubMed was conducted and a total of seven studies passed the inclusion criteria of the meta-analysis. The results of these studies were merged and a statistical probability map was generated that indicated the likelihood of functional connectivity changes within the combined cohort, both for increased and decreased connectivity.

Results:

The meta-analysis demonstrated decreased functional connectivity within the dopaminergic network in participants with RLS compared with healthy controls, including the nigrostriatal, mesolimbic, and mesocortical pathways. Increased functional connectivity was observed bilaterally in the thalamus, including its ventral lateral, ventral anterior, and ventral posterior lateral nuclei, and the pulvinar.

Discussion:

Sensorimotor dysfunction in RLS seems to be reflected by decreased functional connectivity within the dopaminergic pathways. Network extension in the thalamus can be regarded as an adaptation to somatosensory dysfunction in RLS. This differential functional connectivity pattern extends prior findings on cerebral somatosensory processing in RLS and offers an explanation for the efficacy of dopaminergic treatment.