Abstract
Introduction: Previous studies suggested an association between MS and Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). Data on the prevalence of RLS in Austrian MS patients and on the influence of disease-modifying therapies (DMT) on RLS are lacking.Objective: To investigate (1) the prevalence of RLS in Austria compared to control persons (CP), (2) risk factors for RLS in MS, and (3) influence of DMTs on RLS prevalence and/or severity.Methods: Adult MS patients and CP were screened for RLS by face-to-face interviews, including questionnaires for RLS severity, sleep quality and daytime sleepiness.Results: 23.9% of MS patients (n=117) had RLS compared to 3.4% (p<0.001) of CP (n=119). The MS+RLS group (n=28) had a higher rate of sleep impairment (78.6% vs 21.3%, p<0.001) and excessive daytime sleepiness (32.1% vs 15.7%, p=0.045) compared to the MS-RLS group. Multivariate regression analysis revealed higher Expanded Disability Status Scale and spinal lesions in MRI as risk factors for RLS in MS, while DMTs had no impact on RLS.Conclusion: Roughly a quarter of MS patients suffers from RLS, significantly impacting quality of life by poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness. RLS risk increases with physical disability and spinal lesions but is independent of DMT.
Highlights
Previous studies suggested an association between MS and Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
Roughly a quarter of MS patients suffers from RLS, significantly impacting quality of life by poor sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness
RLS risk increases with physical disability and spinal lesions but is independent of disease-modifying therapies (DMT)
Summary
Previous studies suggested an association between MS and Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). Data on the prevalence of RLS in Austrian MS patients and on the influence of disease-modifying therapies (DMT) on RLS are lacking. Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) was first described in 1945 by the Swedish neurologist Karl-Axel Ekbom and is classified as an extrapyra midal hyperkinesia or, according to the German Society for Sleep Research and Sleep Medicine (DGSM), as a sleep-related movement disorder (EKBOM, 1945, S3-Leitlinie Nicht erholsamer Schlaf 2011). According to the revised diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG), RLS is characterized by a strong urge to move limbs with accompanying unpleasant sensations, worsening at rest and in the evening, improvement or complete disap pearance with movement and excluded mimics (Allen et al, 2014). Other possible associa tions exist with cardiovascular diseases, arterial hypertension, diabetes, migraine, neuropathy and Parkinson’s disease (Trenkwalder et al, 2016)
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