Restless abdomen: a spectrum or a phenotype variant of restless legs syndrome?

Restless arms syndrome with oral olanzapine: case based review

Background

Restless arms syndrome (RAS) is a specific variant of restless legs syndrome (RLS). RAS is characterised by an uncomfortable, painful, burning or uneasy sensation confined to the arm.

Case presentation

We report a case of RAS with oral olanzapine, which improved with medication reduction. In addition, all reported cases of RAS were reviewed to explore the underlying mechanisms, diagnosis and treatment for psychiatric drug-induced RAS. The literature review and new case suggest that iron deficiency may be a predisposing factor for RAS. Psychiatric medications are closely associated with RAS, especially olanzapine, quetiapine, and mirtazapine. Discontinuation is the recommended treatment for psychotropic drug-induced RAS, while α2δ calcium channel ligand drugs and benzodiazepines may be considered.

Conclusion

In conclusion, psychiatrists should be alert to the possibility of RAS when administering psychiatric medications for the first time to psychiatric patients with iron deficiency.

Restless Back Syndrome: A Case Report and Literature Review

Restless back syndrome is characterized by uncomfortable pain, burning, ant crawling, or itching sensations in the back. Restless back syndrome is regarded as a back variant of restless legs syndrome. The lack of specific diagnostic criteria makes it difficult to recognize the restless back syndrome, which is usually neglected in clinical practice. Moreover, when a patient was diagnosed with restless back syndrome, the adjustment of medications was the first choice for doctors, which may make the patient's condition unstable. To describe the restless back syndrome and collect and review the related lecture, and the possible mechanism of restless back syndrome was analyzed. A 50-year-old man was diagnosed with schizophrenia 15 years ago. Starting with 25 mg/day aripiprazole, which was switched to amisulpride 0.6 g/day due to no effectiveness, the patient reported symptoms of restless back syndrome in the 2 weeks since the treatment with 0.6 g/day of amisulpride. With the reduction of amisulpride adjustment, restless back syndrome spontaneously remitted. The central dopaminergic dysfunction may play an important role in the development of restless back syndrome. This case suggests that psychiatrists should pay attention to restless back syndrome when using antipsychotics. Moreover, when a patient manifests restless back syndrome, observation or decreasing medication may be one choice.

Case report of restless anal syndrome as restless legs syndrome variant after COVID-19

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a broad spectrum from respiratory and nasopharyngeal symptoms, cerebrovascular diseases, impaired consciousness, and skeletal muscle injury. Emerging evidence has indicated the neural spread of this novel coronavirus. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological, sensorimotor disorder, but highly under diagnosis disorder. Restless anal syndrome as restless legs syndrome variant associated with COVID-19 has been previously not published. We report a case presenting with restless anal syndrome following COVID-19.

Case presentation

Although a 77-year-old male with COVID-19 improved to normal respiratory function 21 days after admission and treatment of favipiravir 200 mg per day for 14 days and dexamethasone 6.6 mg per day for 5 days, the insomnia and anxiety symptoms remained. Several weeks after discharge, he gradually began to experience restless, deep anal discomfort, approximately 10 cm from the perineal region. The following features were observed in the anal region; urge to move is essential, with worsening with rest, improvement with exercise, and worsening at evening. Colonoscopy revealed internal haemorrhoids without other rectal lesions. Neurological findings including deep tendon reflex, perineum loss of sensory and spinal cord injury, revealed no abnormalities. Diabetes militias, kidney dysfunction and iron deficiency status were not confirmed. Family history of RLS and periodic limb movements were not observed. Clonazepam at 1.5 mg per day resulted in the alleviation restless anal discomfort.

Conclusions

We reported a case presenting with restless anal syndrome following affection of COVID-19 as restless legs syndrome variant. This case fulfilled 4 essential features of RLS, urge to move, worsening with rest, improvement with exercise, and worsening at evening. To date, no case of restless anal syndrome associated with COVID-19 has been previously published. This case report may reflect the associative impacts of COVID-19 on the neuropsychiatric state. The long-term outcomes of neuropsychiatric conditions should continue to be monitored.