Daytime Sleepiness in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome: A Risk Factor for Traffic Accidents?

Abstract

Daytime Sleepiness in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome: A Risk Factor for Traffic Accidents? Abstract. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a symptom complex of predominantly leg-focused paraesthesias and the associated increased urge to move. Since evening exacerbations are typical, many patients suffer from sleep disorders, which can lead to increased daytime fatigue in the long term. The present retrospective data analysis investigated a potentially relevant relationship between RLS and an increased incidence of traffic accidents due to daytime sleepiness in Swiss road traffic. A direct correlation between RLS and the occurrence of traffic accidents could not be found. Nevertheless, the question of increased daytime sleepiness should not be absent from any (traffic) medical discussion.