RESEARCH - Is restless legs syndrome underrecognized? Current management.

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Joint Bone Spine. 2006 Jul;73(4):369-73. Epub 2005 Jul 18.

Is restless legs syndrome underrecognized? Current management.

Rheumatology and Therapy department, CHU Dupuytren, 2, av

-Luther-King, 87042 Limoges cedex, France.

pascale.vergne-salle@...

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a poorly understood sensory-motor

neurological disorder whose prevalence in Caucasian populations ranges from

10% to 15%. The patient reports unpleasant sensations in the lower limbs

with dysesthesia resulting in an urge to move the legs. The symptoms occur

during periods of inactivity, increasing in the evening and at night. Moving

the legs provides relief. In 80% of cases, polysomnography shows periodic

leg movements during sleep. Patients with idiopathic RLS often report

similar symptoms in family members. Secondary RLS may be due to medications,

diabetes mellitus, renal failure, iron deficiency, neurological disorders,

or rheumatoid arthritis. In secondary RLS, the management rests on treatment

of the cause. Symptomatic treatment is warranted in patients with

moderate-to-severe symptoms that adversely affect the quality of life.

Dopaminergic agents are tried first. When they fail or induce adverse

effects, weak opioids, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants or, if needed,

strong opioids, may be used.

PMID: 16213771

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=pubmed & cmd=Retrieve & dopt=Abstra\

ctPlus & list_uids=16213771

Not an MD

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Mayo Clinic in Rochester

http://www.mayoclinic.org/rochester

s Hopkins Medicine

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org