Severity Of Restless Legs Syndrome In Patients Research Articles

Comparison of the effects of pramipexole and gabapentin on the treatment of restless leg syndrome in end-stage chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis

Introduction: Despite the high prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in hemodialysis patients, few studies have investigated the effect of pramipexole and gabapentin on the severity of RLS in these patients. Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the effects of pramipexole and gabapentin on the treatment of RLS in end-stage chronic renal failure patients undergoing hemodialysis. Patients and Methods: Using the diagnostic criteria the presence of RLS was investigated in all hemodialysis patients admitted to the dialysis ward of Bu Ali Sina and Velayat hospitals in Qazvin, Iran. Out of 162 patients, 96 patients had RLS and 60 patients with moderate to severe RLS were enrolled in the study. The selected patients were randomly divided into two groups including pramipexole (0.18 mg daily) and gabapentin (100 mg daily). The two groups were treated for 4 weeks. Results: The prevalence of RLS was 59% (96 out of 162 patients). After the intervention, the severity of RLS was significantly decreased in all patients and also in each of the pramipexole and gabapentin groups (P<0.001). Moreover, after the intervention, the rate of improvement in RLS severity in the pramipexole group (16.8 ± 6.5) was significantly higher than that in the gabapentin group (13.0 ± 7.3; P=0.036). Conclusion: The findings of the study showed that the severity of RLS in hemodialysis patients undergoing 4 weeks of treatment with pramipexole or gabapentin was significantly reduced; in addition, the rate of improvement in RLS severity was higher in pramipexole group.

Effect of Near-Infrared Light Therapy Based on Acupoints on the Severity of Restless Legs Syndrome in Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis: A Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common disorder in hemodialysis patients. The present study was conducted to determine the effect of near-infrared (NIR) light therapy given to acupoints on the severity of RLS in patients undergoing hemodialysis. This single-blind, randomized controlled trial was performed on 60 hemodialysis patients with RLS. Participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 30) or a control group (n = 30). Data were collected using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLSRS) and demographic information questionnaire. The intervention group received 12 sessions of NIR light therapy (940 nm) to acupoints in the legs and feet during hemodialysis three times a week, while the control group received sham treatment. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 software. The results indicated that there were statistically and clinically significant differences between the intervention and control groups at the end of the intervention sessions (P < 0.001, mean difference [MD] = 3.8). However, after the treatment was discontinued, the difference was not clinically significant (MD = 2.4). In the within-group compression, the mean RLS scores of the intervention group decreased significantly during the intervention sessions (MD = 3.2, P < 0.001); however, after the treatment was discontinued, the difference was not clinically significant (MD = 1.67). The present study showed that the application of NIR light to acupoints in the legs and feet was as an effective treatment for attenuating the symptoms of RLS in hemodialysis patients.

Restless legs syndrome is highly prevalent in patients with post-polio syndrome

ObjectiveFew studies have quantified the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with post-polio syndrome (PPS). Our objective was to assess the prevalence and severity of RLS in patients with PPS and to examine the demographic characteristics of this population. MethodThis was a cross-sectional study conducted from April 2010 to May 2012 at the outpatient Neuromuscular Disorders clinic of Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. We evaluated 119 patients with PPS, consecutively recruited, and investigated for RLS based on the diagnostic criteria established by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG). Patients were evaluated with the Brazilian version of the IRLSSG severity scale. ResultsThe prevalence of RLS was 36% (n = 43; 32 women and 11 men). The ages at onset of RLS (median = 41 years) and PPS (median = 41 years) were concurrent, and the correlation between onset of symptoms of RLS and onset of symptoms of PPS was positive and very strong (Spearman r = 0.93, p = 0.01). The median RLS severity was 23 (range, 20–28). Low educational achievement and depression were predictive of RLS development. ConclusionIn the largest population of patients with PPS studied to date, our results indicate a high prevalence of RLS, marked disease severity, and concomitant onset of both conditions in many patients with PPS. Further studies are needed to elucidate a possible pathophysiologic mechanism linking these two conditions. We suggest that all post-polio patients with sensory and motor complaints in the legs be investigated for RLS.

Is There an Association between Restless Legs Syndrome and Urticaria?

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a disease characterized by the urge to move the legs and sleep disturbances. Similarly, chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a dermatological disease characterized by pruritus and sleep disorders. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence and severity of RLS in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and to compare the quality of sleep of patients with and without RLS in the CSU group using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. A total of 130 patients with CSU and 100 healthy controls were included in this study. The frequency of RLS, frequency of sleep disturbances, and average score of RLS in patients with CSU were statistically significantly higher than control groups (respectively P = 0.008, P = 0.009, P = 0.004). Subjective sleep quality, sleep latency and habitual sleep efficiency scores in patients with RLS were statistically significantly higher than patients without RLS (respectively P = 0.016, P = 0.007, P = 0.035). We claimed that pruritus of urticaria may decrease the quality of sleep in patients with RLS and it may trigger and worsen the restless legs syndrome. Furthermore, RLS and CSU may share a common etiology.

Increased frequency of restless legs syndrome in atopic dermatitis

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized by an unpleasant sensation in the legs, which is difficult to describe, but produces an urge to move the legs frequently. To assess the prevalence and severity of RLS in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and patients with psoriasis, and to investigate the factors potentially associated with RLS. In total, 253 people were enrolled (120 with AD, 50 with psoriasis and 83 healthy controls). A diagnosis of RLS was made according to the criteria of the International RLS Study Group (IRLSSG), and severity was assessed using the IRLSSG severity scale. RLS was significantly more common in patients with AD (40.8%) than in patients with psoriasis (18.0%) or in controls (10.8%) (P<0.01 and P<0.001, respectively). Prevalence of RLS was higher in patients with active AD than in those with inactive AD (55.3% vs. 23.6%) or controls. There was a significant difference in RLS prevalence between patients with active and those with iactive AD, between patients with active AD and healthy controls, between patients with active AD and patients with psoriasis, and between patients with inactive AD and healthy controls (P<0.001, P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.04, respectively). There was no significant difference in RLS prevalence between patients with active AD and patients with psoriasis, or between patients with psoriasis and healthy controls (P>0.05). Of patients who were positive for RLS, 56.9% had a family history of atopy and 40.3% had a family history of RLS, and there was a significant relationship between the presence of RLS and family history of atopy or RLS (P<0.001 for both). RLS is common in patients with AD, particularly in those with active disease.

Increased frequency of restless legs syndrome in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

Background: Despite complaints of poor sleep being very common in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), restless legs syndrome (RLS) symptoms have not been extensively investigated in these patients. Objective: To assess the prevalence and severity of RLS in patients with COPD and to investigate the factors potentially associated with RLS. Methods: A total of 87 patients with COPD and 110 controls, matched for age and sex, were evaluated regarding the presence and severity of RLS symptoms. A diagnosis of RLS was made according to the criteria of the International RLS Study Group (IRSLSSG), and severity was assessed by the IRLSSG severity scale. Excessive daytime somnolence was assessed using the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). Results: RLS was significantly more frequent in COPD patients than in controls (36.8% vs. 11%; p < 0.001). Compared to controls, COPD patients with RLS showed higher disease severity (mean IRLSSG severity scale score: 20.5 ± 2.8 for COPD, and 18 ± 3.5 for controls; p = 0.016) and more pronounced daytime somnolence (mean ESS score: 11.8 ± 1.1 for COPD, and 8.6 ± 3.6 for controls; p = 0.009). Moreover, compared to those without RLS, COPD patients with RLS showed increased daytime sleepiness (mean ESS score: 11.8 ± 1.1 for COPD/RLS, and 7.3 ± 4 for COPD/non-RLS; p < 0.001) and longer disease duration (11.9 ± 7 years for COPD/RLS, and 8.7 ± 6.9 years for COPD/non-RLS; p = 0.045). Multivariate analysis showed that ESS score was the only factor significantly associated with RLS in COPD patients. Conclusions: RLS is a frequent cause of disabling sleep disturbance in patients with COPD and should be specifically investigated in these patients.

Risk Factors for Restless Legs Syndrome in Dialysis Patients

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a movement disorder that affects 6.6–62% of dialysis patients. The aims of this multicentre cross-sectional study were to document the frequency, prevalence and severity of RLS in patients attending 5 dialysis centres for chronic hospital haemodialysis (HHD) and to identify associated risk factors. Methods: Thediagnosis of RLS was made using the criteria of The International Restless Legs Study Group. The following data were collected: age; gender; duration of renal replacement therapy (RRT); current smoking status; urea reduction ratio; weekly erythropoietin dose; weekly intravenous iron dose; prescribed beta blocker; prescribed renin/angiotensin system inhibitors and pre-dialysis blood concentrations of haemoglobin, ferritin, total calcium (corrected for albumin), albumin, phosphate, parathyroid hormone. Associations with RLS were analysed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Data relating to 277 of 295 patients who had been attending for regular HHD for >3 months were collected. RLS was present in 127 (45.8%). 82 (29.6%), 27 (9.7%) and 18 (6.5%) patients had mild, moderate and severe RLS, respectively. 39 patients (14.1%) were prescribed medicines aimed at reducing RLS. 30 (76.9%) of these 39 patients still had RLS. Female gender (RR 2.17; p = 0.01), increasing duration since first dialysis (RR 1.06 per year; p = 0.03) and increasing body weight(RR 1.02 per kg; p = 0.02) were independent risk factors for RLS by multivariate analysis. In contrast to previous studies, we found no association with iron status, haemoglobin, serum phosphate or smoking. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of RLS in our population and therapeutic intervention appears to have limited efficacy. The associations with female gender, duration of RRT and body weight deserve further study.