Restless Legs Syndrome Severity Research Articles

The relationship between the frequency and severity of restless legs syndrome and anaemia in patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Background Background The study aims to determine the frequency of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and the relationship between the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale (IRLSSG-RS) score and anemia.
 Material and Methods It was a case-control study that included 106 patients with AS and 106 age- and sex-matched healthy controls in the rheumatology clinic of a training and research hospital. The patients were divided into two groups according to their hemoglobin levels. A hemoglobin level lower than 12 g/dL in women and less than 13 g/dL in men was the criterion for anemia.
 Results Although the frequency of RLS was higher in AS patients than in control groups, there was no significant difference in the IRLSSG-RS score between AS patients and control groups. 23 (57.5%) of the AS patients with anemia had RLS, and the IRLSSG-RS score was 21.3±5.7. Of the AS patients without anemia, 11 (16.7%) had RLS, and the IRLSSG-RS score was 15±6. Statistically significant differences between AS patients with and without anemia regarding RLS frequency and IRLSSG-RS score were found. The IRLSSG-RS scores of AS patients were negatively correlated with serum iron and hemoglobin level.
 Conclusions Patients with AS had a higher RLS frequency than the control group; AS patients with anemia had a higher RLS and IRLSSG-RS score than AS patients without anemia. Also, a negative and significant correlation was found between the IRLSS-RS score and serum iron and hemoglobin levels in AS patients.

Emergence of restless legs syndrome during opioid discontinuation.

The development of restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been rarely reported during and following opioid withdrawal. We aimed to determine the presence and severity of RLS symptoms during and after supervised opioid tapering. Ninety-seven adults enrolled in the Mayo Clinic Pain Rehabilitation Center who underwent supervised prescription opioid tapering were prospectively recruited. RLS presence and severity was assessed with the Cambridge-Hopkins Questionnaire 13 and International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Severity Scale at admission, midpoint, and dismissal from the program as well as 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 3 months after completion. Frequency and severity of RLS symptoms were compared between admission and each time point. Average age of the cohort was 52.6 ± 13.3 years with a morphine milligram equivalent dose for the cohort of 45.6 ± 48.3 mg. Frequency of RLS symptoms increased from 28% at admission to peak frequency of 41% at 2 weeks following discharge from the Mayo Pain Rehabilitation Clinic (P = .01), returning to near baseline frequency 3 months after opioid discontinuation. International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Severity Scale increased from baseline and then remained relatively stable at each time point following admission. Thirty-five (36.1%) participants developed de novo symptoms of RLS during their opioid taper, with those being exposed to higher morphine milligram equivalent doses having higher risk of developing RLS. Moderately severe symptoms of RLS, as assessed by survey, occur commonly in individuals undergoing opioid tapering, particularly if exposed to higher doses. In many cases, symptoms appear to be self-limited, although a minority develop persistent symptoms. Our results may have implications for successful opioid tapering, but future confirmatory studies with structured clinician interview are needed to establish that these symptoms truly represent restless legs syndrome given the potential for RLS-mimicking symptoms in individuals with chronic pain syndromes. McCarter SJ, Labott JR, Mazumder MK, etal. Emergence of restless legs syndrome during opioid discontinuation. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(4):741-748.

Initial Cervical Spinal Cord Demyelinating Lesions are not Associated with Restless Legs Syndrome in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

This study aims to determine the prevalence and severity of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and its association with spinal cord lesions, fatigue, quality of life, and sleep disturbance. We recruited 222 consecutive MS patients admitted to MS outpatient clinic. Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and MS Quality of Life-54 (MSQoL-54) questionnaire scores of all patients were measured. Initial cervical spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the patients at first clinical evaluation for diagnosis was reviewed for accompanying demyelinating lesions. RLS was diagnosed in 53 (23.87%) patients. RLS was associated with poor sleep, worse quality of life, increased fatigue, and depressive mood. The sleep quality index, FSS, and MSQoL-54 physical composite scores significantly correlated with RLS severity (P < 0.001, P = 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Of the 200 patients, 127 (63.5%) had spinal cord lesions. 22.83% of the patients with cervical spinal cord lesions had RLS comorbidity. We found no significant difference regarding spinal cord demyelinating lesions between RLS positives and negatives. (P = 0.77). In addition, having multiple spinal cord demyelinating lesions did not differ between the two groups (P = 0.84). Besides, the severity of RLS symptoms did not differ in patients who had a single cervical spinal lesion and those who had multiple lesions (P = 0.35). We have demonstrated the negative impact of comorbid RLS on fatigue, sleep quality, mood, and quality of life in MS patients. However, initial spinal cord lesions did not correlate with RLS comorbidity. The severity of RLS symptoms is associated with poor sleep and physical health.

The Effect of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction on Restless Legs Syndrome in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: There is currently no definitive cure for restless legs syndrome (RLS), and the common treatments are only used to reduce symptoms. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is an intervention that has shown beneficial effects in many mental and physical disorders.Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of MBSR on RLS in hemodialysis patients.Methods: This study was a randomized clinical trial involving 60 hemodialysis patients with RLS recruited by convenience sampling each group. Inclusion criteria were patients with RLS diagnosis, age 18-65, Hb&gt;10, no cognitive disorders, ability to read and write, no vision or hearing problems, and history of hemodialysis ≥6 months. The intervention group received eight sessions of the MBSR program, and the control group received routine care in a government dialysis center. International Restless Legs Syndrome Scale and Restless Legs Syndrome Severity Scale were used to measure RLS. Statistical analyses were conducted using independent and pair t-test and ANCOVA.Results: Significant difference was found in the severity the RLS (Mean(SD) score) between the intervention group (12.90(4.58)) and the control group (22.27(4.19)) (95% CI:-11.66 to -7.08, p&lt;0.0001). The effect size between groups was obtained based on Cohen’s d of 2.13.Conclusion: MBSR showed a significant reduction in the severity of RLS in hemodialysis patients. This preliminary study suggests that MBSR can be a promising treatment option in the management of RLS patients.

Patterns of sleep disorders after a new coronavirus infection COVID-19

Background. Sleep disorders have a negative impact on many aspects of life. COVID-19 exacerbates this problem in the context of the post-COVID syndrome where sleep disorder is one of the common complaints.Objective. We aimed to assess the frequency of sleep disorders after COVID-19 and the presence of associations between post-COVID sleep disorders and the severity of COVID-19.Material and methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Novosibirsk. It included 115 people aged 26 to 74 years (an average age of 54.22 ± 12.48 years) after recovery from COVID-19, which occurred two to eleven months before. Patients underwent questionnaire survey (Spiegel sleep score questionnaire, HADS Anxiety and Depression Scale, International Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Severity Scale), examination by a somnologist, and screening night computer pulse oximetry. If an index of desaturations was more than five per hour, we performed overnight somnography by WAtch PAT 200 or polysomnography. Patients were divided into groups depending on the presence of sleep disorders, COVID-19 severity, and their age. Statistical analysis included a descriptive analysis. Odds ratio was assessed by determining the risk measure for dichotomous variables in the contingency table.Results. RLS was the most common post-COVID sleep disorder (n = 63, 75%). However, primary insomnia was diagnosed only in patients with moderate-to-severe course of COVID-19 (n = 3, 9%). There were 40 patients with post-COVID sleep disorder; they had significantly lower sleep time on workdays (7.00 [6.00; 7.50] vs. 7.50 [6.50; 8.00] hours, p = 0.021) and significantly higher mean HADS depression score (5.00 [3.00; 7.00] vs. 3.00 [1.00; 6.00] points, p = 0.006) compared with the corresponding parameters in patients without deterioration of sleep quality. The chance of reduced sleep quality was 11.6 times higher after moderate-to-severe COVID-19 infection than that after mild infection only in patients aged 26-59 years (95% confidence interval 1.42–94.32, p = 0.007).Conclusion. The chance of worsening sleep quality was significantly higher after a moderate-to-severe COVID-19 infection than after mild infection in 26-59-year-old old patients. At the same time, RLS was the most common post-COVID sleep disorder according to our study. Given the importance of sleep disorders, working-age patients after moderate-to-severe COVID-19 infection require active monitoring by doctors in order to timely correct emerging complaints.

Patterns of sleep disorders after a new coronavirus infection COVID-19

Background. Sleep disorders have a negative impact on many aspects of life. COVID-19 exacerbates this problem in the context of the post-COVID syndrome where sleep disorder is one of the common complaints.Objective. We aimed to assess the frequency of sleep disorders after COVID-19 and the presence of associations between post-COVID sleep disorders and the severity of COVID-19.Material and methods. A cross-sectional study was carried out in Novosibirsk. It included 115 people aged 26 to 74 years (an average age of 54.22 ± 12.48 years) after recovery from COVID-19, which occurred two to eleven months before. Patients underwent questionnaire survey (Spiegel sleep score questionnaire, HADS Anxiety and Depression Scale, International Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Severity Scale), examination by a somnologist, and screening night computer pulse oximetry. If an index of desaturations was more than five per hour, we performed overnight somnography by WAtch PAT 200 or polysomnography. Patients were divided into groups depending on the presence of sleep disorders, COVID-19 severity, and their age. Statistical analysis included a descriptive analysis. Odds ratio was assessed by determining the risk measure for dichotomous variables in the contingency table.Results. RLS was the most common post-COVID sleep disorder (n = 63, 75%). However, primary insomnia was diagnosed only in patients with moderate-to-severe course of COVID-19 (n = 3, 9%). There were 40 patients with post-COVID sleep disorder; they had significantly lower sleep time on workdays (7.00 [6.00; 7.50] vs. 7.50 [6.50; 8.00] hours, p = 0.021) and significantly higher mean HADS depression score (5.00 [3.00; 7.00] vs. 3.00 [1.00; 6.00] points, p = 0.006) compared with the corresponding parameters in patients without deterioration of sleep quality. The chance of reduced sleep quality was 11.6 times higher after moderate-to-severe COVID-19 infection than that after mild infection only in patients aged 26-59 years (95% confidence interval 1.42–94.32, p = 0.007).Conclusion. The chance of worsening sleep quality was significantly higher after a moderate-to-severe COVID-19 infection than after mild infection in 26-59-year-old old patients. At the same time, RLS was the most common post-COVID sleep disorder according to our study. Given the importance of sleep disorders, working-age patients after moderate-to-severe COVID-19 infection require active monitoring by doctors in order to timely correct emerging complaints.

Cognitive strategies to improve symptoms of restless legs syndrome.

Symptoms of restless legs syndrome are relieved by movement. Whether a cognitive task decreases sensory discomfort remains understudied. We aimed to assess the frequency of patients with restless legs syndrome who report decreased sensory discomfort during cognitive activities, and quantify this decrease during a cognitive task. Three-hundred and fifty-eight consecutive adults with restless legs syndrome (age 55.17 ± 14.62 years; 55.87% women; 27.65% treated) answered the question: "Does the intensity of your restless legs syndrome symptoms decrease when you perform activities other than moving your legs?" rated on a nine-point Likert scale (from fully-agree to totally-disagree). A subgroup of 65 consecutive drug-free patients underwent an 80-min suggested immobilisation test at 20:00 hours to quantify legs discomfort on a visual analogue scale before polysomnography, including 40 patients performing a cognitive task (balloon analogue risk task) from the 60 to 80 min. A total of 130 (36.3%) patients reported a decrease, 158 (44.1%) no decrease, and 70 (19.5%) uncertain changes in severity of restless legs syndrome symptoms during cognitive activities, with a similar proportion whether treated or not. Patients experiencing a decrease had less severe restless legs syndrome symptoms. In the suggested immobilisation test, mixed-effect regression models showed that legs discomfort decreased in patients performing the cognitive task while it continued to increase in those without task, with a larger difference in patients reporting a self-reported decrease in restless legs syndrome during cognitive activities. In conclusion, one-third of patients reported a self-reported decrease of restless legs syndrome symptoms during cognitive activities, this improvement in restless legs syndrome was confirmed during a sustained cognitive task. Cognitive strategies could be implemented for the management of restless legs syndrome.

Noninvasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A New Therapeutic Approach for Pharmacoresistant Restless Legs Syndrome

AimsThis work aimed to study the effect of noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation on severe restless legs syndrome (RLS) resistant to pharmacotherapy. Materials and MethodsPatients with severe pharmacoresistant RLS were recruited from a tertiary care sleep center. Intervention was one-hour weekly sessions of transauricular vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) in the left cymba concha, for eight weeks. The primary outcome measure was the score on the International Restless Legs Rating Scale (IRLS); secondary outcome measures were quality of life (Restless Legs Syndrome Quality of Life scale [RLSQOL]), mood disorders using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale subscale for depression (HADD) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale subscale for anxiety (HADA), and objective sleep latency, sleep duration, efficiency, and leg movement time measured by actigraphy. ResultsFifteen patients, 53% male, aged mean 62.7 ± 12.3 years with severe RLS, reduced quality of life, and symptoms of anxiety and depression, were included. The IRLS improved from baseline to session eight: IRLS 31.9 ± 2.9 vs 24.6 ± 5.9 p = 0.0003. Of these participants, 27% (4/15) had a total response with a decrease below an IRLS score of 20; 40% (6/15) a partial response with an improvement in the IRLS > 5 but an IRLS above 20; and 33% (5/15) were nonresponders. After tVNS, quality of life improved (RLSQOL 49.3 ± 18.1 vs 80.0 ± 19.6 p = 0.0005), as did anxiety (HADA 8.9 ± 5.4 vs 6.2 ± 5.0 p = 0.001) and depression (HADD 5.2 ± 4.5 vs 4.0 ± 4.0 p = 0.01). No significant change was found in actigraphic outcome measures. ConclusionsIn this pilot study, tVNS improved the symptoms of RLS in 66% of participants (10/15) with severe pharmacoresistant RLS, with concomitant improvements in quality of life and mood. Randomized controlled trials evaluating therapeutic efficacy of tVNS in RLS are needed to confirm these promising findings.

The prevalence and associated factors of seasonal exacerbation of subjective symptoms in Japanese patients with restless legs syndrome

ObjectivesTo elucidate the prevalence of seasonal exacerbation in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) and identify its associated factors. MethodsWe investigated the presence/absence of seasonal exacerbation of RLS by distributing self-administered questionnaires with an interval of three years. Patients who reported having seasonal exacerbation in both surveys were defined as having seasonal exacerbation. RLS severity was determined using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLS). ResultsAmong 180 patients, 89 reported having seasonal exacerbation in the first survey. Among them, only two reported not having seasonal exacerbation in the second survey; thus, 87 (48.3%) patients were considered to have a seasonal exacerbation. Although many of them (68 out of 87, 78.2%) experienced exacerbation in spring or summer, 19 out of 87 (21.8%) reported that their symptoms worsened in fall or winter. All the patients in this study had mild to moderate degrees of RLS severity according to the IRLS score. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that having a family history of RLS (p < 0.05) and moderate RLS (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with the presence of seasonal exacerbation. ConclusionsThis study revealed that approximately half of all RLS patients had seasonal exacerbation of the symptoms and that about 80% of the exacerbation was observed during the spring/summer season. Moreover, seasonal exacerbation is likely to be present even in patients whose symptoms had been improved to moderate severity with pharmacological treatment.

Sleep disturbances and restless legs syndrome in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer given adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy

IntroductionWhether adjuvant therapy with aromatase inhibitors (AIs) causes sleep disturbances or not in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer (EBC) is still a controversial issue. MethodsBetween March 2014 and November 2017, validated questionnaires for assessing insomnia, anxiety, depression, quality of life (QoL) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) were administered to 160 EBC patients at baseline and after 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of AI therapy. ResultsAI therapy significantly decreased the patients’ QoL, but did not influence insomnia, anxiety or depression. However, it significantly increased the frequency and severity of RLS. Patients with RLS at baseline (19%) or who developed RLS during AI therapy (26.3%) reported statistically lower quality of sleep, higher anxiety and depression, and worse QoL compared to patients who never reported RLS (54.7%). ConclusionAlthough AI therapy does not affect sleep quality, it may increase RLS frequency. The presence of RLS could identify a group of EBC patients who may benefit from psychological support.

Evaluation of Serum Selenium Level, Quality of Sleep, and Life in Pregnant Women With Restless Legs Syndrome.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a multifactorial disease that patients describe as restlessness in their legs, which creates a desire to move their legs, especially in the evening and at rest. This study aims to investigate serum selenium levels in RLS and document the quality of sleep and life in pregnant women with RLS according to International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) diagnostic criteria. Thirty-eight moderate to severe RLS patients with pregnancy at 38-41weeks of gestation were determined as the case group, and 38 women with healthy gestational age-matched pregnancies were determined as the control group. Maternal serum selenium levels were compared between the RLS case group and the group of healthy pregnant women at the time of hospitalization for delivery. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and The Quality of Life Scale (SF-36) were applied to the patients. The mean selenium level (µg/L) was statistically significantly lower in the RLS group (53.24 ± 10.28), compared to the healthy pregnant population (58.95 ± 11.29) (P = 0.024). The PSQI score was significantly higher in the RLS case group (P = 0.033). Especially sleep efficiency (P = 0.018) and daytime dysfunction (P = 0.032) sub-parameters were affected. The SF-36 questionnaire was examined and a significant difference was detected between the two groups in role emotional (P = 0.026), social functioning (P = 0.023), and body pain (P = 0.044) sub-parameters. Serum selenium level was significantly lower, the sleep quality of the RLS group was impaired and their quality of life was affected in pregnant women with RLS. Further studies are needed to determine whether selenium replacement in pregnant women with RLS is feasible or not.

Peripheral Iron Metabolism is Associated with Leg Movements on Polysomnography but Not with the Severity of Restless Legs Syndrome or Its Impact on Patients.

PurposeThis study investigated the associations of peripheral iron status with different manifestations of restless legs syndrome (RLS), including leg movements (LMs) on polysomnography (PSG), disease severity, and impact on patients.Patients and MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, 108 patients with RLS were enrolled at Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital’s Center for Sleep Medicine. Demographic information, disease characteristics, RLS severity, and impact on patients were assessed through a semi-structured questionnaire. Peripheral iron indicators [serum ferritin, iron, and transferrin concentrations; unsaturated iron-binding capacity (UIBC) and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC); transferrin saturation (TSAT)] were measured following PSG to assess sleep stages, respiratory events, microarousals and LM parameters. Data from patients with and without ferritin concentration < 50 µg/L were compared in crude analyses, and Spearman correlations of other iron indicators with RLS data were examined. An ordinal logistic regression model was used to adjust for age, sex, body mass index, years of education, age at the time of RLS onset, prior treatment (yes/no), C-reactive protein (CRP)/hemoglobin level, total sleep time and apnea-hypopnea index.ResultsMultivariate analysis showed that periodic LMs during sleep (PLMS) and other LM parameters were significantly associated with a ferritin concentration < 50 µg/L, UIBC, TIBC, and serum transferrin concentration, but not serum iron or TSAT. By contrast, the severity and impact of RLS were not associated with a ferritin concentration < 50 µg/L or other peripheral iron indicators in the multivariate model.ConclusionIn this study, peripheral iron status was associated mainly with motor components (LMs on PSG) rather than sensory components (severity and impact of RLS) after adequately controlling for potential confounders, such as CRP and hemoglobin levels. Commonly used peripheral iron metabolism indicators may therefore not be ideal biomarkers of RLS severity or impact on patients.

Effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique on Severity of Restless Legs Syndrome Among Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis

Effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation Technique on Severity of Restless Legs Syndrome Among Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis

Does physical activity timing differentially correlate with symptoms of restless legs syndrome in adults with multiple sclerosis?

Objective/backgroundThe present study examined the associations among physical activity during different times of the day(i.e., morning, midday,evening) and days of the week(i.e., weekdays, weekend days) with restless legs syndrome(RLS) severity and sleep quality in adults with multiple sclerosis(MS). Patients/methodsParticipants(N = 39) completed the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Scale and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index as measures of RLS severity and global sleep quality, respectively, and wore an ActiGraph GT3X + on the non-dominant hip for seven days for measuring physical activity(i.e., light physical activity[LPA], moderate-to-vigorous physical activity[MVPA], and steps). ResultsThere was a significant effect of time of day wherein participants had more midday activity compared with morning or evening for LPA, MVPA, and steps; there was no effect of day of the week. Spearman's rho correlations across the week indicated higher evening LPA, evening steps, and overall daily steps (ρ = −0.42,ρ = −0.51,ρ = −0.40,respectively) were associated with lower RLS severity. Similar associations were demonstrated for weekdays(ρ = −0.39,ρ = −0.50,ρ = −0.41,respectively) and weekend days(ρ = −0.44,ρ = −0.51,ρ = −0.39,respectively). Higher evening MVPA on weekend days(ρ = −0.42) was associated with lower RLS severity. Higher morning and overall daily LPA(ρ = 0.34,ρ = 0.33,respecitvely) were associated with worse sleep quality. Similar associations were demonstrated on weekdays(ρ = 0.33,ρ = 0.37,respectively) and more evening MVPA(ρ = 0.32) was associated with worse sleep quality. On weekend days, more morning MVPA(ρ = 0.42) was associated with worse sleep quality. ConclusionsOur results suggest that undertaking physical activity, particularly LPA and steps, in evenings may be important for managing symptoms of RLS without worsening sleep quality.

Changes in Sleep Pattern During the COVID-19 Lockdown in Patients With Narcolepsy, Idiopathic Hypersomnia, and Restless Legs Syndrome.

To explore the first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown effect on sleep symptoms in patients with narcolepsy, idiopathic hypersomnia (IH), and restless legs syndrome (RLS). Between March and May 2020, a sample of adult patients regularly followed up in a Reference Hospital Sleep Unit (299 with narcolepsy, 260 with IH, and 254 with RLS) was offered an online survey assessing their sleep-wake habits, daily activities, medication intake, and validated scales: International RLS Study Group questionnaire, Narcolepsy Severity Scale (NSS), IH Severity Scale (IHSS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), Insomnia Severity Index, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and European Quality of Life (QoL) scale. The survey was proposed once, and the questions were answered for the prelockdown (recall of the month before the confinement) and the lockdown (time of study) periods. Overall, 331 patients completed the survey (response rate 40.7%): 102 with narcolepsy, 81 with IH, and 148 with RLS. All patients reported later bedtimes, with reduced differences for time in bed (TIB) and total sleep time (TST) over 24 hours between weekdays and weekends. Patients with narcolepsy spent more TIB and increased TST overnight, with more daytime napping. They had more awakenings, higher ESS scores, lower QoL, and no NSS changes. Patients with IH also increased their TIB, TST overnight and 24 hours on weekdays. Nocturnal sleep latency and the number of awakenings increased but with no change in ESS, QoL, and IHSS scores. Patients with RLS reported longer nocturnal sleep latency, more awakenings, more naps, decreased TIB, and TST overnight. RLS severity increased while QoL decreased. A significant portion of patients reported disease worsening during the lockdown (narcolepsy: 39.4%, IH: 43.6%, and RLS: 32.8%), and some patients stopped or lowered their medication (narcolepsy: 22.5%, IH: 28%, and RLS: 9.5%). During the lockdown, all patients reported later bedtimes; those with narcolepsy and IH extended their sleep duration unlike patients with RLS. These changes were often associated with negative consequences on QoL. In the current context of recurrent COVID-19 waves, the recent development of teleconsultations should enable physicians to monitor patients with chronic sleep disorders more closely and to recommend optimized sleep schedules and duration, in order to prevent psychological problems and improve their QoL.

The Effect of Heat Therapy on the Severity of Restless Legs Syndrome and Sleep Quality in the Elderly

Objective Restless legs syndrome is a neurological condition associated with an irresistible urge to move the legs and eventually leads to discomfort, sleep disorders, and reduced quality of life. Restless legs syndrome is common in the elderly, whose health improvement is an important healthcare issue. This study aimed to determine the effect of hot water bags on the severity of restless legs syndrome and sleep quality in the elderly. Methods The study has a quasi-experimental design. In this research, 88 elderly people were selected based on purposive sampling. Then they were randomly assigned to the experimental (n=44) and control (n=44) groups. The intervention group received a hot water bag on the leg, and the control group received routine care. Data collection tools were the demographic questionnaire, the restless legs syndrome rating scale, and the Pittsburgh sleeps quality index. The questionnaires were completed as a self-report. Data were analyzed with the independent t test and paired t test using SPSS. Results The Mean±SD scores of restless legs syndrome were 16.7±0.46 in the experimental group and 16.50±1.17 in the control group before the intervention, which was not significantly different (P=0.32). The Mean±SD scores of restless legs syndrome were 10.68±1.52 in the experimental group and 15.55±1.79 in the control group after the intervention, which was significantly different (P=0.0001). In addition, the mean ± SD scores of sleep quality were 8.3±1.5 and 10.42±1.89 in the control group and the experimental group after the intervention, which showed a significant difference (P=0.0001). Conclusion Findings showed that the hot water bag application reduces the severity of restless legs syndrome and improves sleep quality. Therefore, a hot water bag is especially recommended for the elderly, as it is cheap, accessible, and acceptable.

Restless legs syndrome severity associated with reduced physical function in adults with multiple sclerosis

BackgroundRestless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder that occurs in approximately 26 % of adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) and may be associated with reduced physical function. Research questionThe present study examined the relationship between RLS symptomology (i.e., overall severity, frequency, and occurrence) and physical function outcomes in adults with MS who had RLS. MethodsParticipants (N = 22) with MS who had RLS came into the laboratory for a single session wherein a rater performed a brief neurological examination for scoring the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and completed a demographics questionnaire, the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Scale (IRLS), and the Restless Legs Syndrome Scale-6 (RLS-6) followed by the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and the Six-minute Walk Test (6 MW). ResultsBivariate Spearman’s rho correlation analyses indicated total IRLS had a strong, negative association with total distance traveled during the 6 MW (ρ = −0.50) and a moderate association with SPPB scores (ρ = −0.43), but not EDSS scores (ρ = 0.28). RLS severity during the day while active had strong, negative associations with total distance traveled during the 6 MW (ρ = −0.61) and SPPB scores (ρ = −0.52), but not EDSS scores (ρ = 0.13). SignificanceWe observed associations between worse overall RLS severity and RLS severity during the day while active with reduced performance during the 6 MW and lower SPPB scores. The management of RLS may offer an opportunity for mitigating reductions in physical function in adults with MS who have RLS.

0550 Health-Economic Implications of Defined Improvements in Restless Leg Syndrome Severity: A Model-Based Exploratory Analysis based on Prior Publication Data

Abstract Introduction Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a debilitating condition associated with reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and increased resource utilization. Our objective was to provide model-based estimates of quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gain and reduction in healthcare utilization that might be expected for changes in symptom severity. Methods We identified two health-economic studies which reported severity-specific quality-of-life and resource utilization. Happe et al. 2009 reported HRQoL using EQ-5D measurements stratified by International Restless Legs Scale (IRLS) severity (n=519, 63.6% female, 64.2 years) and Durgin et al. 2015 reported healthcare utilization stratified by RLS severity (no/mild/moderate/severe RLS) (n=2,392, 56.9% female, 56.0 years). We fitted regression models to support IRLS-specific estimates of EQ-5D and healthcare resource utilization. These models (polynomial for EQ-5D, linear for resource utilization) were applied to calculate QALY gain, and events avoided for ER visits, hospitalizations, and healthcare provider (HCP) visits over 5 years for IRLS improvement of 1-10 points, from a baseline of 30, 25, and 20. Results At five years, a 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10-point IRLS reduction corresponded to a QALY gain of 0.09, 0.25, 0.40, 0.52, and 0.69 for a baseline of 30, 0.07, 0.19, 0.29, 0.37, and 0.47 for a baseline of 25, and 0.04, 0.12, 0.18, 0.22, and 0.26 for a baseline of 20. The events avoided over 5 years with an IRLS reduction of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 points respectively were 1.12, 3.37, 5.62, 7.87, and 11.25 HCP visits, 0.09, 0.26, 0.43, 0.61, and 0.87 ER visits, and 0.04, 0.11, 0.18, 0.26, and 0.36 hospitalizations. Conclusion This exploratory analysis based on two health-economic studies confirms the substantial quality-of-life and healthcare cost burden associated with RLS. The data provide guidance on the magnitude of potential quality-of-life improvement and cost reduction that might be associated with defined improvement in RLS severity. Further investigation may be warranted for the factors that link change in IRLS and healthcare resource utilization, such as sleep deficits or cardiovascular risks. Support (If Any) Funding was provided by Noctrix Health

0558 Emergence of Restless Legs Syndrome During Opioid Withdrawal

Abstract Introduction Discontinuation of opioid medications may be associated with emergence of restless legs syndrome (RLS), which may complicate opioid withdrawal. However, this has not been systematically studied. We aimed to prospectively determine the frequency of the occurrence and severity of RLS symptoms in patients undergoing physician supervised opioid tapering during a 3-week interdisciplinary pain rehabilitation program. Methods Adult patients undergoing prescription opioid taper were prospectively recruited during their participation in the Mayo Pain Rehabilitation Center from 2016 to 2021. Subjects completed the Cambridge-Hopkins RLS Questionnaire 13 and International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale (IRLS) at baseline, midpoint, and dismissal from the program as well as 2 weeks, 1 and 3 months after dismissal from the program. Results 101 patients participated with 61% being female taking a mean morphine equivalent dose of 46.6 ± 49.0 mg. Baseline prevalence of RLS symptoms was 29% (29/101), increasing to 32% (32/101) at midpoint of treatment and further to 35% (34/97) at dismissal from the program. Frequency of RLS symptoms peaked 2 weeks after dismissal at 38% (30/78) and steadily declined to 35% (28/80) and 31% (21/68) at 1 month and 3 months after dismissal, respectively. Thirty-five percent of patients without baseline RLS symptoms reported de novo RLS symptoms at some point during their opioid taper. RLS severity score followed a similar trend as the presence of symptoms with a baseline of 16.6 ± 10.0. RLS severity score was maximum at 19.1 ± 7.3 one month following dismissal and decreased but remained elevated above baseline at 3 months following dismissal. Conclusion Symptoms of RLS occurred in over a third of patients on chronic opioids and increased during opioid withdrawal, appearing to peak in frequency and severity 2-4 weeks after discontinuation and gradually improved 3 months after discontinuation. Over one-third of patients in our cohort developed de novo symptoms of RLS at some point during their opioid withdrawal. Physicians supervising individuals undergoing opioid withdrawal should be aware of the potential development of RLS symptoms which may hinder successful opioid withdrawal. Support (If Any)

How effective are treatment guidelines for augmented RLS?

The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of current treatment guidelines for restless legs syndrome (RLS) augmentation in patients on dopamine agonists (DAs) which recommend a cross-titration strategy to an alpha-2-delta ligand (A2D) and/or opioid. Consecutive new consultations for RLS with both augmentation and active treatment with DAs at the time of initial assessment were included if followed >5 months. Clinical information from the semi-structured initial consultation, and subsequent visits until their most recent/final visit was extracted. Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S) and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scores were retrospectively determined by two independent evaluators. In the 63 patients with augmented RLS on DAs, followed for 5-59 months (mean = 28, SD = 14), the average age was 67.6 (SD = 9.8) and 63% were female. Mean duration of prior dopaminergic therapy was 11.6 years (SD = 6.7) and average pramipexole equivalent dose was 1.23 mg (SD = 1.22 mg). At baseline, RLS was "moderate-markedly" severe (CGI-S = 4.9). At the final/most recent visit, 78% (49/63) were classified as Responders (CGI-I ≤ 2, "Much" or "Very Much Improved") with an average CGI-S of 2.4 ("borderline-mildly ill"). Responders (59%) were more likely to have discontinued DAs than Non-Responders (40%), and mean opioid doses were higher in Responders (39 vs 20 MME). No differences in baseline DA dose, final A2D dose, or iron therapy were observed between groups. Responders did have significantly more severe RLS, more sleep maintenance insomnia, and greater subjective daytime sleepiness at baseline (p < 0.05). Guideline-based management is effective in most patients with augmented RLS on DAs.