Huzursuz Bacaklar Sendromunda Dopamin Agonisti Tedavisi ile İlişkili Davranış Değişiklikleri: Retrospektif Bir Çalışma

Abstract

Objective: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological sensorimotor disease. Behavioral changes are little-known concern during the treatment and follow-up of RLS. The aim of the study is to highlight the behavioral changes associated with dopamine agonist treatment in the follow-up of RLS, such as dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) and impulse control disorder (ICD). Material and Methods: We analyzed clinical data from RLS patients' files from the previous 15 years retrospectively. The patients receiving dopaminergic monotherapy for RLS, who came to follow-up on a regular basis and whose last examination was within the last 6 months were chosen. The average age of patients without behavioral changes was 48.60±9.21 years. Results: Of the patients' complaints, legs were affected in 90.90%, arms and legs together were affected in 9.09%. Dopamine agonist-related changes were observed in 6 female patients. Mean age of these patients was 40.16±9.23 years old. They showed behavioral abnormalities such as uncontrolled drug use, shopping curiosity, hypersexuality, smoking, and space decoration. One patient presented with manic episode together with DDS. The average age of RLS patients who experienced behavioral changes was younger. Average dose at which behavior changes were observed was unclear since 4 of 6 patients with behavioral changes developed DDS. Despite using a regular-low dose agonist, the other two female patients showed ICD without DDS. Conclusion: With dopaminergic treatment, behavioral changes that may cause problems in family and social life can develop. When prescribing dopaminergic medications, it is important to ask if the patient has any behavioral changes and pay close attention in a busy polyclinic.