We need to do better: A systematic review and meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy of restless legs syndrome screening instruments

Experiences of facilitators and barriers for fulfilment of human needs when living with restless legs syndrome: a qualitative study

PURPOSE

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a widespread condition that affects sleep leading to daytime sleepiness, depression, and reduced quality of life. This study aims to determine and describe how patients with RLS experience their everyday life, with a focus on facilitators and barriers related to Maslow's hierarchical theory of human needs.

METHOD

Semi-structured interviews were analysed with qualitative content analysis resulting in facilitators and barriers affecting the fulfilment of the five human needs.

RESULTS

Addressing RLS symptoms through medications and a quiet sleep environment fulfils psychological needs. Control over RLS symptoms, engagement in activities, trust in treatments, and social support meet safety and security needs. Social inclusion, close relationships, and meaningful interactions fulfil a sense of belongingness and love needs despite RLS. Competence in managing RLS, effective self-care strategies, confident communication, and trust-building support esteem needs. Finally, comprehensive understanding through person-centred interventions and coping fulfils the self-actualization needs in managing RLS.

CONCLUSION

Holistic and person-centred interventions, including facilitators for the fulfilment of physiological, psychological, and social needs could help healthcare professionals to provide holistic care.

Prevalence of depression or depressive state in patients with restless legs syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep-related disorder characterized by limb discomfort and the urge to move them when at rest, especially in the evening or at night. Although depression is often linked to various conditions, no systematic review has assessed depression prevalence in patients with RLS after the latest diagnostic criteria revision. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the depression and depressive state prevalence among patients with RLS. We systematically searched databases up to November 2022 and performed meta-analyses of the depression prevalence using a random-effects model and a meta-regression analysis to explore the relationship between the prevalence and severity of depression and factors such as age and RLS severity. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we analyzed 24 studies with 2039 patients. The pooled depression or depressive state prevalence, mostly defined by questionnaire scores, was 30.39 %. Nine studies reported the proportion of patients taking antidepressants (pooled rate: 3.41 %). No specific factors related to the prevalence or severity of depression were identified in patients with RLS. These findings highlight the significant prevalence of depression and underscore the need for future research with standardized diagnostic interviews and consistent methodologies across multi-site studies.

Medication refractory restless legs syndrome: Real-world experience

BACKGROUND

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), impacting 5-13% of the population, poses challenges in long-term management. A knowledge gap exists in predicting resistance to first-line therapies.

OBJECTIVE

To identify demographic and clinical factors predictive of refractory cases.

METHODS

This retrospective study, conducted at the Parkinson's Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas (January 2018 to September 2023) identified all patients with RLS evaluated during the pre-specified period and compared clinical and demographic data between medication-refractory ("malignant") group and "benign" cohort.

RESULTS

Among 132 patients with RLS, 23 (17.4%) were categorized as medication-refractory. This cohort was characterized by a significantly lower mean age at onset (39.3 vs. 53.5 years, p = 0.0005), longer disease duration (26.7 vs. 14.0 years), and a higher prevalence of a positive family history of RLS among first-degree relatives compared to the "benign" group (56.5% vs. 15.5%, p = 0.003). Furthermore, compared to the "benign" group, in the refractory group dopamine agonists were initiated as the primary medication at a significantly higher rate (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Our study found that a younger age at disease onset, prolonged disease duration, initial use of dopamine agonists, and a positive family history increased the likelihood of refractory RLS. We caution against the use of dopamine agonists, especially in young patients with RLS. Additionally, botulinum toxin might be considered a viable second-line treatment, especially for patients with otherwise medically-refractory RLS.

Validation of two brief instruments (the SURE and CollaboRATE) to measure shared decision-making in patients with restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder characterised by an urge to move arms and legs, usually associated with discomfort, pain, motor restlessness, and sleep disturbance. An individually adapted treatment is needed but difficult to optimise, which makes shared decision-making (SDM) important. However, brief validated instruments on how patients with RLS perceive their involvement in treatment decisions are lacking. Therefore, the aim was to validate two instruments, SURE (Sure of myself, Understand information, Risk-benefit ratio, Encouragement, i.e., to assess decisional conflict) and CollaboRATE (brief patient survey focused on SDM, i.e., to assess SDM), in patients with RLS. A cross-sectional design, including 788 participants with RLS (65% females, mean [SD] age 70.8 [11.4] years) from a national patient organisation for RLS, was used. A postal survey was sent out to collect data regarding weight, height, comorbidities, demographics, and RLS-related treatment data. The following instruments were included: the SURE, CollaboRATE, Restless Legs Syndrome-6 Scale, and eHealth Literacy Scale. Confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch models were used to assess the validity and reliability of the SURE and CollaboRATE. Measurement invariance, unidimensionality, and differential item functioning (DIF) across age, gender, and medication groups were assessed. The SURE and CollaboRATE were both identified as unidimensional instruments with satisfactory internal consistency. No DIF across age and gender was identified, while significant DIF was observed for both the SURE and CollaboRATE regarding medication use categories. However, both the SURE and CollaboRATE are potential instruments to be used in research, but also as reflection tools by healthcare professionals, patients, and students to explore and assess SDM, and support its development in clinical care.

The ethos brief index-validation of a brief questionnaire to evaluate wellness based on a holistic perspective in patients with restless legs syndrome

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to validate the Ethos Brief Index (EBI) in patients with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).

METHODS

A cross-sectional design, including 788 subjects with RLS (65% women, 70.8 years, SD 11.3) from the Swedish RLS Association, was used. A postal survey was sent out to collect data regarding socio demographics, comorbidities, and RLS-related treatment data. Questionnaires included were EBI, the Restless Legs Syndrome-6 Scale (RLS-6), Restless Legs Syndrome-Quality of Life questionnaire (RLSQoL), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). The validity and reliability of the EBI were investigated using Rasch and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models. Measurement invariance, unidimensionality, and differential item functioning (DIF) across age and gender groups, as well as insomnia, daytime sleepiness, RLS-related QoL and RLS severity were assessed.

RESULTS

The results supported the unidimensionality of the EBI in the CFA (i.e., explaining 61.5% of the variance) and the Rasch model. The reliability of the EBI was confirmed using composite reliability and Cronbach's alpha. No DIF was identified for gender, age, insomnia, daytime sleepiness, RLS severity or RLS-related QoL.

CONCLUSION

The EBI showed good validity and reliability and operated equivalently for male and female patients with RLS. Accordingly, healthcare professionals can use the EBI as a psychometrically sound tool to explore and identify patient-centered problems related to the whole life situation.

Restless legs symptoms increased during COVID-19 pandemic. International ICOSS-survey

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been associated with anxiety, depression, insomnia, lifestyle factors and infections. We aimed to study the prevalence of symptoms of RLS during the COVID-19 pandemic versus pre-pandemic. We hypothesized that pre-existing RLS symptoms worsened and pandemic-related factors may have triggered new symptoms of RLS.

METHODS

Adults (≥18 years) from fifteen countries across four continents participated in an online survey between May and August 2020. The harmonized questionnaire included a validated single question on RLS with response alternatives from 1 to 5 on a scale from never to every/almost every evening or night. Other measures were the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), measures of symptoms of anxiety (GAD-2) and depression (PHQ-2), and questions on different pandemic-related factors.

RESULTS

Altogether, 17 846 subjects (63.8 % women) were included in the final analyses. The mean age was 41.4 years (SD 16.1). During the pandemic, symptoms of RLS (≥3 evenings/nights per week) were more common 9.1 % (95 % CI 8.7-10.1) compared to 5.4 % (95 % CI 4.9-6.0) before the pandemic (P < 0.0001). Alltogether 1.3 % (95 % CI 1.1-1.6) respondents had new-onset symptoms (≥3 evenings/nights per week). Moderate-severe insomnia was strongly associated with RLS symptoms. The occurrences of new-onset RLS symptoms were 5.6 % (95 % CI 0.9-13.0) for participants reporting COVID-19 and 1.1 % (95 % CI 0.7-1.5) for non-COVID-19 participants. In the fully adjusted logistic regression model, the occurrence of new-onset RLS symptoms was associated with younger age, social restrictions and insomnia severity. In a similar analysis, RLS symptoms (≥3 evenings/nights per week) were associated with lower education, financial hardship, sleep apnea symptoms, use of hypnotics, insomnia severity, symptoms of depression and possible post-traumatic stress disorder.

DISCUSSION

Our findings indicate that RLS symptoms were more common during the pandemic than before. Usually, the prevalence of RLS increases with age. However, during the pandemic, new-onset symptoms of RLS were more common in younger age groups. This may be due to the pandemic-related factors being more pronounced in the younger compared to the older. The association between insomnia, psychiatric symptoms and RLS warrants clinical attention.

The global and regional prevalence of restless legs syndrome among adults: A systematic review and modelling analysis

Background

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a prevalent neuro-sensory disorder that impairs quality of life. In this systematic review and modelling study, we estimated the global and regional prevalence of RLS and its associated factors.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Medline for population-based studies on RLS prevalence published up to 12 November 2023. The included studies reported prevalence using the International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group's (IRLSSG) minimal diagnostic criteria without limitations on frequency, duration, or severity. We applied a multilevel multivariable mixed-effects meta-regression to generate the age-specific and sex-specific prevalence of RLS for high socio-demographic index (H-SDI) and low and middle socio-demographic index (LM-SDI) regions. We pooled odds ratios (ORs) for RLS associated factors using random-effects models. Finally, we derived the regional prevalence and cases of RLS based on an associated factor-based model.

Results

From 52 articles across 23 countries, the global RLS prevalence in 2019 was estimated to be 7.12% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 5.15-9.76) among adults 20-79 years of age, equating to 356.07 million (95% CI = 257.61-488.09) affected individuals. Prevalence was similar in H-SDI (7.29%; 95% CI = 5.04-10.41) and LM-SDI (7.10%; 95% CI = 5.16-9.70) regions, with the majority of cases in LM-SDI countries (323.06 million; 90.73%). Europe had the highest (7.60%; 95% CI = 5.44-10.52) and Africa the lowest regional prevalence (6.48%; 95% CI = 4.70-8.87). The Western Pacific Region, meanwhile, had the most cases (111.91 million; 95% CI = 80.93-153.42). Factors positively associated with RLS included advanced age (OR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.04-1.24), smoking (OR = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.29-1.64), depression (OR = 1.71; 95% CI = 1.26-2.32), and diabetes (OR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.19-1.97).

Conclusions

A considerable global burden of RLS exists. Effective strategies are needed to increase awareness and optimise resource allocation to address this often-overlooked condition. High-quality epidemiological investigations employing standardised and rigorous criteria for RLS are essential for addressing RLS burden more effectively.

Registration

PROSPERO: CRD42020161860.

Quality of life among patients with restless legs syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim was to estimate the pooled mean score of quality of life (QoL) (total, mental and physical health components) among patients with Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). Secondary aims were to assess: (I) QoL differences for RLS vs. control groups, (II) heterogeneity and possible sources; and (III) moderating variables.

METHODS

Studies identified in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ProQuest between January 2000 and December 2022 were included. Methodological quality was assessed with Newcastle Ottawa Scale. The protocol was pre-registered (PROSPERO, CRD42023387318).

RESULTS

Twenty-seven studies (20121 participants, 12 countries) were included. The corrected pooled estimated mean score of QoL was 47.92 (27 studies, CI 95 %: 43.11 to 52.72, range 0-100, i.e., low-high QoL) and was marginally affected by publication year (increased 0.89 by each year, p = 0.12). The corrected pooled estimated mean score of the mental health component was 47.32 (17 studies, 95 % CI: 43.12 to 51.51, range 0-100) and influenced by RLS instrument (decreased with recent versions, p = 0.05). The corrected pooled estimated mean score of the physical health component was 39.08 (17 studies, 95 % CI: 33.05 to 45.10, range 0-100), with no statistically significant moderator. The pooled estimated QoL scores were statistically significantly lower in RLS patients compared to control groups with standardized mean difference (SMD) of -0.78, -0.57 and -0.50 respectively for overall QoL (24 studies), physical and mental health components (14 studies). Total QoL SMD was affected by proportion of women.

CONCLUSION

Low QoL was revealed among RLS patients, which was statistically significantly reduced compared to control groups.

Restless legs syndrome, neuroleptic-induced akathisia, and opioid-withdrawal restlessness: shared neuronal mechanisms?

Restlessness is a core symptom underlying restless legs syndrome (RLS), neuroleptic-induced akathisia, and opioid withdrawal. These three conditions also share other clinical components suggesting some overlap in their pathophysiology. Recent prospective studies demonstrate the frequent incidence of RLS-like symptoms during opioid withdrawal and supervised prescription opioid tapering. Based on the therapeutic role of µ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists in the three clinical conditions and recent preclinical experimental data in rodents, we provide a coherent and unifying neurobiological basis for the restlessness observed in these three clinical syndromes and propose a heuristic hypothesis of a key role of the specific striatal neurons that express MORs in akathisia/restlessness.

Prevalence of Current Restless Legs Syndrome Symptoms Among Patients Treated with Buprenorphine/Naloxone for Opioid Use Disorder

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) in patients with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) taking buprenorphine/naloxone maintenance therapy, and to assess symptom frequency, severity, and sleep disruption due to RLS.

Methods

Surveys inquired about demographic information, amount of time on maintenance treatment, previous drug use, current prescribed medications and alcohol use, and RLS symptoms. Participants were determined to have definite, probable, possible, or no RLS symptoms based on pre-established criteria from the Cambridge-Hopkins Questionnaire.

Results

The sample (n=129) was 33.3% female, 81.5% white, and the mean age was 40.6 years (SD=11.9). The median duration of buprenorphine/naloxone use was 3 years. 13.2% of participants had definite/probable RLS symptoms; these symptoms tended to be of moderate severity, occur at least 5-15 times a month, and disrupt sleep to a moderate degree. Of the 17 participants with definite/probable RLS symptoms, just four were taking a medication commonly used to alleviate RLS. An additional 7.0% had possible RLS symptoms.

Conclusion

Relatively high rates of current RLS symptoms were observed; the prevalence of clinically significant RLS was notably higher than that seen in the general population or in previously assessed clinical populations. RLS is common in those acutely withdrawing from opioids, and our data demonstrate that these symptoms are present in a sizable portion of patients on OUD maintenance therapy. Most patients with definite/probable current RLS symptoms did not report taking prescribed medications that have established efficacy for RLS.

Restless legs syndrome: From clinic to personalized medicine

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological sensorimotor disorder that impairs sleep, mood and quality of life. RLS is defined by an urge to move the legs at rest that increases in the evening and at night, and is frequently associated with metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Symptoms frequency, age at RLS onset, severity, familial history and consequences of RLS vary widely between patients. A genetic susceptibility, iron deficiency, dopamine deregulation, and possible hypo-adenosinergic state may play a role in the pathophysiology of RLS. Polysomnographic recordings found often periodic leg movements during sleep and wakefulness in patients with RLS. RLS can be classified as primary or comorbid with major diseases: iron deficiency, renal, neurological, rheumatological and lung diseases. First-line treatments are low-dose dopamine agonists, and alpha-2-delta ligands depending on the clinical context, and second/third line opiates for pharmacoresistant forms of RLS. Augmentation syndrome is a serious complication of dopamine agonists and should be prevented by using the recommended low dose. Despite an increase in knowledge, RLS is still underdiagnosed, poorly recognized, resulting in substantial individual health burden and socioeconomic coast, and education is urgently needed to increase awareness of this disabling disorder.

Modification and Validation of a Diagnostic Questionnaire for Restless Legs Syndrome: Modified-Restless Legs Syndrome Diagnostic Questionnaire (m-RLS-DQ)

Background

Diagnostic questionnaire that are available for restless legs syndrome does not include items related to RLS mimics and, hence, increases chances of false positive cases. This study aimed at modification and validation of RLS-diagnostic Questionnaire.

Methods

During modification, additional items were identified, developed, and subjected to evaluation by experts. Experts were requested to validate the content of each item. Based on their responses, content validity indices (average and universal agreement) were calculated. It was then translated to Hindi and validated in a clinical population that included patients with RLS, somatic symptoms disorder, anxiety, other RLS mimics, and osteoarthritis. In addition, a group of healthy controls was also included. Face, concurrent, and discriminant validities were calculated.

Results

Among 209 subjects, nearly 40 subjects had clinical diagnosis of RLS, osteoarthritis, somatic-symptoms-disorder, and anxiety disorder, each. In addition, 16 patients had other RLS mimics (akathisia, varicose veins, BFS, leg-cramps, chronic insomnia) and 30 were healthy controls. After multiple revisions, content validity indices achieved a score of 1 for m-RLS-DQ. Sensitivity and specificity of m-RLS-DQ v. 1.4 for the diagnosis of RLS were 94.9% and 94.1%, respectively. For the diagnosis of RLS, PPV was 78.7%, and NPV was 98.7% with an accuracy of 94.3%. Less than one fourth of participants having chronic insomnia, somatic symptoms disorder, anxiety disorder, and knee osteoarthritis were found to be false positive on m-RLS-DQ; however, none of the healthy controls were found positive on m-RLS-DQ. Concurrent validity with clinical diagnosis of RLS was 0.83 (P < 0.001). Discriminant validity with somatic symptoms disorder was -0.14 (P = 0.03) and with osteoarthritis -0.24 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

m-RLS-DQ is a valid instrument with acceptable psychometric properties, which can be used for the screening as well as diagnosis of RLS in clinical practice and research studies.

Restless legs syndrome and cognitive function among adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Changes in the cognitive function of patients with restless legs syndrome is a growing area of research. Although several studies have been performed to investigate the association between restless legs syndrome (RLS) and cognitive function, the outcomes are still controversial. The meta-analysis aimed to elucidate the relationship between RLS and cognition, including global cognition and various cognitive domains including memory, attention, executive function, and spatial cognition.

METHODS

We searched the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases from inception to November 2022 to screen eligible records. The means and standard deviations of cognitive test scores were obtained to calculate the standard mean difference and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

A total of 1437 records were collected from the initial search and 16 records involving 4635 individuals were ultimately included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Our data suggest negative associations between RLS and global cognition (SMD, - 0.42; 95% CI - 0.72 to - 0.11; I² = 76.6%) and attention (SMD, - 0.43; 95% CI - 0.73 to - 0.12; I² = 85.3%). No significant differences in memory (SMD, - 0.01; 95% CI - 0.31 to 0.28; I² = 68.0%), executive function (SMD, - 0.10; 95% CI, - 0.30 to 0.11; I² = 52.1%), or spatial cognition (SMD, - 0.17; 95% CI - 0.38 to 0.03; I² = 58.5%) were observed between the RLS and control groups. Moreover, the strength of the results was modified by age but not by sex or region.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that RLS is negatively correlated with cognitive function, particularly global cognition and attention. However, the causal relationship, considering more confounders, is worthy of further exploration.

Worldwide estimation of restless legs syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prevalence in the general adult population

This systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression assessed the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in the general adult population. Studies identified in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and PsycInfo between January 2000 and February 2022 were included if they used a case-control or cross-sectional design and reported data regarding the prevalence of RLS. The protocol was pre-registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO; CRD42022300709). A total of 97 studies including 483,079 participants from 33 different countries met the eligibility criteria. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality, and the fill-and-trim method was used to correct probable publication bias, while the jack-knife method was performed to assess small study effect. The corrected overall pooled prevalence of RLS was 3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4%-3.8%). The pooled prevalence of RLS syndrome was affected by methodological quality (no data from non-respondents in the included studies), gender (higher among women), study design (lower prevalence in case-control versus cohort and cross-sectional studies). The figures for corrected pooled prevalence among men, women, alcohol consumers and smokers were 2.8% (95% CI 2%-3.7%); 4.7% (95% CI 3.2%-6.3%); 1.4% (95% CI 0%-4.2%); and 2.7% (95% CI 0%-5.3%), respectively. The prevalence among male and female participants was lower in community-based versus non-community-based studies. Moreover, the prevalence was higher in developed versus developing countries and among elders versus adults. In conclusion, RLS is a common disorder in the general adult population, with a higher prevalence in women; however, prevalence data are affected by study design and quality.

Restless legs syndrome: Over 50 years of European contribution

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor neurological disorder characterised by an urge to move the limbs with a circadian pattern (occurring in the evening/at night), more prominent at rest, and relieved with movements. RLS is one of the most prevalent sleep disorders, occurring in 5%-10% of the European population. Thomas Willis first described RLS clinical cases already in the 17th century, and Karl-Axel Ekbom described the disease as a modern clinical entity in the 20th century. Despite variable severity, RLS can markedly affect sleep (partly through the presence of periodic leg movements) and quality of life, with a relevant socio-economic impact. Thus, its recognition and treatment are essential. However, screening methods present limitations and should be improved. Moreover, available RLS treatment options albeit providing sustained relief to many patients are limited in number. Additionally, the development of augmentation with dopamine agonists represents a major treatment problem. A better understanding of RLS pathomechanisms can bring to light novel treatment possibilities. With emerging new avenues of research in pharmacology, imaging, genetics, and animal models of RLS, this is an interesting and constantly growing field of research. This review will update the reader on the current state of RLS clinical practice and research, with a special focus on the contribution of European researchers.

Genetic evidence for a potential causal relationship between insomnia symptoms and suicidal behavior: a Mendelian randomization study

Insomnia and restless leg syndrome (RLS) are associated with increased risk for suicidal behavior (SB), which is often comorbid with mood or thought disorders; however, it is unclear whether these relationships are causal. We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization study using summary-level genetic associations with insomnia symptoms and RLS against the outcomes of risk of major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BP), schizophrenia (SCZ), and SB. The inverse-variance weighted method was used in the main analysis. We performed replication and sensitivity analyses to examine the robustness of the results. We identified outcome cohorts for MDD (n = 170,756 cases/329,443 controls), BP (n = 20,352/31,358), SCZ (n = 69,369/236,642), SB-Cohort-2019 (n = 6569/14,996 all with MDD, BP or SCZ; and SB within individual disease categories), and SB-Cohort-2020 (n = 29,782/519,961). Genetically proxied liability to insomnia symptoms significantly associated with increased risk of MDD (odds ratio (OR) = 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.2-1.26, P = 1.37 × 10-61), BP (OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.07-1.23, P = 5.11 × 10-5), SB-Cohort-2019 (OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.07-1.27, P = 2.30 × 10-4), SB-Cohort-2019 in depressed patients (OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.16-1.54, P = 5.97 × 10-5), and SB-Cohort-2020 (OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.18-1.3, P = 1.47 × 10-18). Genetically proxied liability to RLS did not significantly influence the risk of any of the outcomes (all corrected P > 0.05). Results were replicated for insomnia with MDD and SB in Mass General Brigham Biobank and were consistent in multiple lines of sensitivity analyses. In conclusion, human genetic evidence supports for the first time a potentially independent and causal effect of insomnia on SB and encourages further clinical investigation of treatment of insomnia for prevention or treatment of SB.

Restless Legs Syndrome Prevalence and Clinical Correlates Among Psychiatric Inpatients: A Multicenter Study

Background

There are only limited reports on the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with psychiatric disorders. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and clinical correlates in psychiatric inpatients in Germany and Switzerland.

Methods

This is a multicenter cross-sectional study of psychiatric inpatients with an age above 18 years that were diagnosed and evaluated face-to-face using the International RLS Study Group criteria (IRLSSG) and the International RLS severity scale (IRLS). In addition to sociodemographic and biometric data, sleep quality and mood were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). In addition to univariate statistics used to describe and statistically analyze differences in variables of interest between patients with and without RLS, a logistic model was employed to identify predictors for the occurrence of RLS.

Results

The prevalence of RLS in a sample of 317 psychiatric inpatients was 16.4%, and 76.9% of these were diagnosed with RLS for the first time. RLS severity was moderate to severe (IRLS ± SD: 20.3 ± 8.4). The prevalences in women (p = 0.0036) and in first-degree relatives with RLS (p = 0.0108) as well as the body mass index (BMI, p = 0.0161) were significantly higher among patients with RLS, while alcohol consumption was significantly lower in the RLS group. With the exception of atypical antipsychotics, treatment with psychotropic drugs was not associated with RLS symptoms. Regarding subjective sleep quality and mood, scores of the PSQI (p = 0.0007), ISI (p = 0.0003), and ESS (p = 0.0005) were higher in patients with RLS, while PHQ-9 scores were not different. A logistic regression analysis identified gender (OR 2.67; 95% CI [1.25; 5.72]), first-degree relatives with RLS (OR 3.29; 95% CI [1.11; 9.73], ESS score (OR 1.09; 95% CI [1.01; 1.17]), and rare alcohol consumption (OR 0.45; 95% CI [0.22; 0.94] as predictors for RLS.

Conclusions

Clinically significant RLS had a high prevalence in psychiatric patients. RLS was associated with higher BMI, impaired sleep quality, and lower alcohol consumption. A systematic assessment of restless legs symptoms might contribute to improve the treatment of psychiatric patients.

Restless legs syndrome

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sensorimotor disorder characterized by an urge to move that appears during rest or is exacerbated by rest, that occurs in the evening or night and that disappears during movement or is improved by movement. Symptoms vary considerably in age at onset, frequency and severity, with severe forms affecting sleep, quality of life and mood. Patients with RLS often display periodic leg movements during sleep or resting wakefulness. RLS is considered to be a complex condition in which predisposing genetic factors, environmental factors and comorbidities contribute to the expression of the disorder. RLS occurs alone or with comorbidities, for example, iron deficiency and kidney disease, but also with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and neurological, rheumatological and respiratory disorders. The pathophysiology is still unclear, with the involvement of brain iron deficiency, dysfunction in the dopaminergic and nociceptive systems and altered adenosine and glutamatergic pathways as hypotheses being investigated. RLS is poorly recognized by physicians and it is accordingly often incorrectly diagnosed and managed. Treatment guidelines recommend initiation of therapy with low doses of dopamine agonists or α₂δ ligands in severe forms. Although dopaminergic treatment is initially highly effective, its long-term use can result in a serious worsening of symptoms known as augmentation. Other treatments include opioids and iron preparations.