Restless Leg Syndrome Across the Globe: Epidemiology of the Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease

Restless Legs Syndrome in Psoriasis: A Multicenter Study on Its Prevalence, Severity, and Impact on Patients

Purpose

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease often associated with multiple comorbidities, including restless leg syndrome (RLS). However, the prevalence and impact of RLS on quality of life and clinical outcomes in patients with psoriasis remain underexplored, particularly in Asian populations. In this study, we compared the prevalence of RLS in patients with psoriasis and healthy controls and evaluated the association between RLS and quality of life, sleep disturbances, and clinical severity of psoriasis.

Patients and Methods

This multicenter, cross-sectional study involved 212 participants (106 patients with psoriasis and 106 healthy controls) and was conducted from March to July 2024 at three major hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. RLS was diagnosed according to the International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) criteria. The RLS severity, sleep quality, quality of life, and psoriasis severity were assessed using the Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Dermatology Life Quality Index, and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), respectively.

Results

The prevalence of RLS was significantly higher in patients with psoriasis than in healthy controls. Patients with psoriasis and RLS exhibited significantly poorer sleep quality and a greater impact on quality of life than those without RLS. The RLS group exhibited a higher PASI score, indicating more severe psoriasis. A strong positive correlation was observed between PASI and RLS severity.

Conclusion

RLS is significantly more prevalent in patients with psoriasis and is associated with worse sleep quality, greater impairment of quality of life, and increased psoriasis severity. Early screening for RLS in patients with psoriasis using the IRLSSG criteria may facilitate timely intervention and improve outcomes.

Evidence of Involvement of the Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide in Restless Legs Syndrome

BACKGROUND

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sensory-motor disorder characterized by an urge to move the legs, often with unpleasant sensations, particularly during rest. Current treatments include iron supplementation, dopamine agonists, and opioids, but new therapeutic approaches are needed. The dysfunction of the A11 nucleus, which modulates dopaminergic transmission to the spinal cord, is thought to play a role in RLS pathophysiology. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is involved in pain modulation, may interact with A11 pathways, suggesting a role in RLS.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the involvement of CGRP in RLS by determining if CGRP-related proteins are overexpressed in RLS patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 17 drug-free RLS patients (mean age 55.8 years) and 17 age- and gender-matched controls. Serum samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-parallel reaction monitoring-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-PRM-MS/MS) to identify and quantify CGRP-related proteins. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to differentiate between groups.

RESULTS

PCA showed clear differentiation between RLS and control groups. Among 13 identified CGRP-related proteins, 10 were dysregulated in RLS patients: 8 were upregulated, and 2 were downregulated, among them notable proteins such as S100A12, ADM, SRSF6, and ADM2.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates the significant involvement of CGRP and related proteins in RLS. This suggests these proteins may play roles in various aspects of the disorder. Further research is required to validate these findings and explore their clinical implications, including development of new treatment options that specifically address CGRP pathways. © 2025 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Beyond sleep disturbance: Structured analysis of sleep habits, chronotype and sleep disorders in adults with glioma. A cross-sectional exploratory study

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of the whole spectrum of sleep disorders as well as sleep related motor phenomena and chronotype in adults with glioma and to analyze their link with tumor localization and grade.

METHODS

This prospective cross-sectional exploratory study included 79 patients with glioma irrespective of localization and type. Sleep habits, sleep disorders of any kind and chronotype were evaluated in structured interviews using validated disease specific scales.

RESULTS

For the whole sample the PSQI score was not increased, and specific insomnia severity was low. Patients with frontal tumors had worse sleep quality according to the PSQI and were more often allocated to worse ISI categories. The prevalence of EDS was markedly increased (ESS >10 in 17.7 % of patients), and 43 % scored ≥3 on STOPBANG. The predominant chronotype was a moderate morning type (54.4 %). Seven patients fulfilled RLS criteria and 9 fulfilled criteria for probable RBD, a self-report of hypnic jerks and nightmares were most common (45.6 % and 31.6 % respectively). According to regression analyses tumor relapse, depressive symptoms and fatigue determined poor sleep quality (Nagelkerke's R2: 0.511 p < 0.001), while performance-status, fatigue and anti-seizure medication contributed to excessive daytime sleepiness (Nagelkerke's R2: 0.600, p < 0.001), and age, BMI, and tumor localization contributed to the risk of sleep apnea (Nagelkerke's R2: 0.556, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows the broad range of sleep symptoms in glioma patients, and a complex association with tumor grade and localization. This underlines the need for a comprehensive evaluation of sleep related symptoms in glioma patients.

Urges to move and struggles to breathe: restless legs syndrome/WillisEkbom disease in adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea

PURPOSE

Recent evidences pointed out that the prevalence of comorbidity of restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS/WED) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is around 20%. Nonetheless its association factors have not been extensively evaluated after the recent modification in diagnostic criteria. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of RLS/WED and its association factors with OSA in an adult sample.

METHODS

This was a prospective, cross-sectional study including 490 adult patients with OSA diagnosis (apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 5 obstructive events/hour associated to clinical picture). RLS/WED diagnosis was established by the 2014 International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) criteria established by face-to-face interview with a neurologist.

RESULTS

The prevalence of RLS/WED was 18.6% (n = 91) and its diagnosis was previously established in 13.2% (n = 12/91). The mean IRLSSG severity score was 17.0 (standard deviation 6.8). RLS/WED was associated with female sex, chronic insomnia symptoms, greater anxiety, and depression severity scores, and with mild obstructive sleep apnea severity. On the other hand, severe obstructive sleep apnea was negatively associated to RLS/WED.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite being relatively prevalent among patients with OSA, RLS/WED is previously underrecognized in our sample. RLS/WED severity correlated with higher scores on anxiety and depression scales. Chronic insomnia symptoms were the main RLS/WED association factor.

Exercise protects impairments in memory recognition in the iron-deficient male rat model of Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs and is associated with decreased quality of life and sleep, and may result in cognitive changes. Physical exercise generates cognitive improvements and improves RLS symptoms. Our objective is to analyze recognition memory in the iron-deficient rodent model of RLS, and the effect of exercise. The animals (male Wistar rats) were distributed at 21 days of age into a control group (CTRL) (standard diet) or an ID group (iron-deficient diet). After performance classification (at 77 days of age), the animals were redistributed into CTRL (no exercise), CTRL EX (exercise), ID (no exercise) and ID EX (exercise), totaling 9 animals per group. The exercise groups performed treadmill exercise for four weeks. In the 14th week of the diet, the sleep recording of CTRL and ID animals was carried out to validate the RLS model. The Novel Object Recognition Memory test (NOR) was performed before the start of exercise (8th week of diet) and after the end (14th week) in all groups. The ID group demonstrated worsening sleep parameters and increased paw movements compared to the control group. The ID group demonstrated impairment of recognition memory after 14 weeks of diet compared to the CTRL group, and, the CTRL improved recognition memory in the 14th week compared to the 8th week. No differences were found for the exercise groups. Our findings indicate that the RLS animal model exhibited cognitive alterations associated with recognition memory, and long-term aerobic exercise intervention demonstrated a protective influence against these effects.

Exploring the pathophysiology of restless leg syndrome: focus on white matter structure and function

BACKGROUND

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs, with pathogenesis involving genetic, environmental, and neurobiological factors. Recent advancements in imaging techniques have provided valuable insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of RLS.

OBJECTIVE

To synthesize recent research on white matter fiber alterations in RLS and their role in disease pathology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review synthesized recent research on RLS, focusing on neuroimaging findings, particularly white matter fiber alterations, and their implications for disease mechanisms. Studies involving structural and functional MRI were analyzed.

RESULTS

Imaging studies suggested that RLS was associated with white matter integrity changes, affecting areas linked to sensory and motor control. These alterations may reflect disruptions in central nervous system pathways regulating movement.

CONCLUSION

White matter changes provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology of RLS, enhancing our understanding of the disorder and potentially guiding future therapeutic strategies.

Medication refractory restless legs syndrome: Real-world experience

BACKGROUND

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), impacting 5-13% of the population, poses challenges in long-term management. A knowledge gap exists in predicting resistance to first-line therapies.

OBJECTIVE

To identify demographic and clinical factors predictive of refractory cases.

METHODS

This retrospective study, conducted at the Parkinson's Disease Center and Movement Disorders Clinic, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas (January 2018 to September 2023) identified all patients with RLS evaluated during the pre-specified period and compared clinical and demographic data between medication-refractory ("malignant") group and "benign" cohort.

RESULTS

Among 132 patients with RLS, 23 (17.4%) were categorized as medication-refractory. This cohort was characterized by a significantly lower mean age at onset (39.3 vs. 53.5 years, p = 0.0005), longer disease duration (26.7 vs. 14.0 years), and a higher prevalence of a positive family history of RLS among first-degree relatives compared to the "benign" group (56.5% vs. 15.5%, p = 0.003). Furthermore, compared to the "benign" group, in the refractory group dopamine agonists were initiated as the primary medication at a significantly higher rate (p = 0.006).

CONCLUSION

Our study found that a younger age at disease onset, prolonged disease duration, initial use of dopamine agonists, and a positive family history increased the likelihood of refractory RLS. We caution against the use of dopamine agonists, especially in young patients with RLS. Additionally, botulinum toxin might be considered a viable second-line treatment, especially for patients with otherwise medically-refractory RLS.

Effects of Dietary Supplementation in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder. It disrupts sleep and well-being and is often associated with other conditions. This review examines the potential of dietary supplements to manage RLS symptoms and reduce reliance on medications. A total of 10 randomized clinical trials involving 482 participants were analyzed, focusing on the impact of various supplements on symptom severity, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness. Findings suggest some supplements may have positive results. Magnesium oxide and vitamin B6 significantly improved sleep quality and RLS symptoms, with magnesium showing greater effectiveness. Vitamin D supplementation did not show significant benefits. Oral iron has promising results, indicating potential efficacy but issues related to compliance and absorption. Both vitamins C and E positively affect RLS symptoms, likely due to their antioxidant properties. Valerian improved RLS and sleep but did not show a statistically significant improvement. Despite these encouraging results, a high risk of bias was noted in half of the studies, emphasizing the need for more rigorous research. Overall, this review suggests that dietary supplements may be a promising approach to managing RLS. However, further investigation is required to confirm the efficacy and safety.

Prevalence and predictors of restless legs syndrome among patients having stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

BACKGROUND

Patients having COPD share some factors, e.g., chronic hypoxemia, anemia of chronic disease and nicotine use, which are also the risk factors for RLS hence predispose them to experience RLS in higher then general population. There are limited studies with methodological constraints evaluating the prevalence and/or correlates of RLS among patients with COPD.

METHODS

Consecutive adult patients of either gender, having stable COPD as per GOLD guidelines 2021, were assessed for RLS using IRLSSG (2014) criteria (excluding RLS mimics) and the severity of RLS was determined in participants having RLS. Phenomenology of RLS, past medical history and laboratory parameters were gathered. Insomnia and depression were assessed using the insomnia severity index and PHQ-9, respectively.

RESULTS

Participants' (N = 210) mean age was 63.02 ± 8.19 years, and 83.8% of subjects were men. 12.9% of participants were found to have RLS. Among those having RLS, nearly half (51.9%) had moderate symptoms, and 18.5% experienced severe symptoms. RLS was more prevalent among younger, females, those having severe COPD, participants having exacerbation of COPD in the previous year, lower post-bronchodilator FEV1, higher dyspnea and COPD assessment test score. Multivariate analysis showed that younger age, female gender, lower post-bronchodilator FEV1, lower FEV1/FVC ratio and higher serum creatinine increased the odds of having RLS. Depressive symptoms were more frequent in participants having RLS.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study found that the prevalence of RLS among patients with stable COPD was higher than the general population. Female gender, younger age, higher airflow limitation and higher serum creatinine (though in the physiological range) increase the odds of having RLS. Stable patients with COPD having these characteristics must be screened for RLS.

Modification and Validation of a Diagnostic Questionnaire for Restless Legs Syndrome: Modified-Restless Legs Syndrome Diagnostic Questionnaire (m-RLS-DQ)

Background

Diagnostic questionnaire that are available for restless legs syndrome does not include items related to RLS mimics and, hence, increases chances of false positive cases. This study aimed at modification and validation of RLS-diagnostic Questionnaire.

Methods

During modification, additional items were identified, developed, and subjected to evaluation by experts. Experts were requested to validate the content of each item. Based on their responses, content validity indices (average and universal agreement) were calculated. It was then translated to Hindi and validated in a clinical population that included patients with RLS, somatic symptoms disorder, anxiety, other RLS mimics, and osteoarthritis. In addition, a group of healthy controls was also included. Face, concurrent, and discriminant validities were calculated.

Results

Among 209 subjects, nearly 40 subjects had clinical diagnosis of RLS, osteoarthritis, somatic-symptoms-disorder, and anxiety disorder, each. In addition, 16 patients had other RLS mimics (akathisia, varicose veins, BFS, leg-cramps, chronic insomnia) and 30 were healthy controls. After multiple revisions, content validity indices achieved a score of 1 for m-RLS-DQ. Sensitivity and specificity of m-RLS-DQ v. 1.4 for the diagnosis of RLS were 94.9% and 94.1%, respectively. For the diagnosis of RLS, PPV was 78.7%, and NPV was 98.7% with an accuracy of 94.3%. Less than one fourth of participants having chronic insomnia, somatic symptoms disorder, anxiety disorder, and knee osteoarthritis were found to be false positive on m-RLS-DQ; however, none of the healthy controls were found positive on m-RLS-DQ. Concurrent validity with clinical diagnosis of RLS was 0.83 (P < 0.001). Discriminant validity with somatic symptoms disorder was -0.14 (P = 0.03) and with osteoarthritis -0.24 (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

m-RLS-DQ is a valid instrument with acceptable psychometric properties, which can be used for the screening as well as diagnosis of RLS in clinical practice and research studies.

A Randomized, Open Label, Exploratory Trial Comparing Efficacy of Amantadine and Ropinirole in Restless Legs Syndrome

Objective  Amantadine has both anti-glutamatergic and dopaminergic action and may improve restless legs syndrome (RLS). We compared the efficacy and adverse-effect profile of amantadine and ropinirole in RLS. Methods  In this randomized, open-label, 12-week flexible-dose exploratory study, RLS patients with international RLS study group severity scale score (IRLSS) > 10 were randomized to receive either amantadine(100-300mg/day) or ropinirole (0.5-2mg/day). Drug dose was increased until week-6 if IRLSS failed to improve by ≥10% of previous visit score. IRLSS change from baseline at week-12 was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included change in RLS-related quality of life (RLS-QOL) and insomnia severity index (ISI), along with clinical-global-impression of change/improvement (CGI-I), and proportion of patients with adverse-effects and resulting discontinuation. Results  Twenty-four patients received amantadine and 22 received ropinirole. Both groups had a significant effect for visit*treatment arm (F (2.19,68.15) =4.35;P = 0.01). With a similar baseline IRLSS, both intention-to-treat (ITT) and per-protocol analyses revealed comparable IRLSS until week-8, with ropinirole appearing superior from week-10 to week-12 (week-12 IRLSS, amantadine vs ropinirole:17.0  ±   5.7 vs 9.0  ±   4.4;P < 0.001). ITT analysis at week-12 showed comparable proportion of responders (≥10% IRLSS reduction) in both groups (P = 0.10). Both drugs improved sleep and QOL, but week-12 scores favoured ropinirole [(ISI:14.4  ±   5.7 vs 9.4  ±   4.5; P = 0.001) ;(RLS-QOL:70.4  ±   17.9 vs 86.5  ±   9.8; P = 0.005)]. CGI-I at week-12 favoured ropinirole (Mann-Whitney U = 35.50, S. E = 23.05;P = 0.01). Four patients in amantadine and two in ropinirole group developed adverse effects, with resulting discontinuation in two patients on amantadine. Conclusions  The present study reports equivalent reduction in RLS symptoms with both amantadine and ropinirole until week-8, with the latter being superior from week-10 onwards. Ropinirole was better tolerated.

Bibliometric analyses of publications in the field of restless legs syndrome

PURPOSE

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a chronic neurological disorder and the incidence of RLS is a more common disease than known is accepted. This study was performed to identify and analyze the characteristics of RLS-related articles published from 2001 to 2020 using bibliometric analyses.

METHODS

RLS-related articles published from 2001 to 2020 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database with predefined search terms. VOSviewer software was used to visualize various bibliographic coupling networks on data. The top 10 lists (about organizations, papers, journals, most commonly cited articles, authors, countries, and keywords) extracted from 2001 to 2020 were also analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 2311 articles were included and the total number of publications from 2001 to 2020 was increased by 5.02-fold. The highest number of RLS publications (n = 171) since 2001 was observed in 2020. The United States is contributed the highest number of RLS-related publications (34.53%). The top productive journal was Sleep Medicine and the most prominent organization was Johns Hopkins University. In the list of top 10 authors, Allen RP was the first author.

CONCLUSIONS

This study is the first bibliometric analysis that provides a general perspective on the RLS from 2001 to 2020 and may be useful as a guide for further research in this field.

Inflammatory factors and restless legs syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The possible role of inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of restless legs syndrome (RLS) is not well understood. Because several inflammatory diseases have shown an association with the risk for RLS, the measurement of serum/plasma levels of inflammatory factors has been a matter of a scarce number of studies. We performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis to assess the possible association of serum/plasma levels of inflammatory markers with the risk for RLS. Our results showed a significant trend towards higher serum/plasma C reactive protein (CRP) levels and higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) ratio in patients diagnosed with RLS than in controls, although statistical significance disappeared after applying the random-effects model. Further studies are needed to confirm the suggested possible role of inflammatory factors in the pathogenesis of RLS.

Prevalence of restless legs syndrome during the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic in South Korea: A nationwide cross-sectional population-based study

Background

The 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has been associated with a significant increase in sleep disorders. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of restless leg syndrome (RLS) and the effect of COVID-19 on RLS during the pandemic in Korea.

Methods

The National Sleep Survey of South Korea 2022 was employed in this study. This study was a large population-based web survey using a structural questionnaire of a four thousand representative sample of individuals aged 20-69 years in Korea. The survey was conducted between January 2022 and February 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. RLS was diagnosed using the Korean version of the paradigm of questions for epidemiological studies of RLS. Chronic persistent RLS was defined for individuals with RLS symptoms at least twice a week.

Results

Six hundred forty-nine (16.2%) and 172 (4.3%) patients were classified as having RLS and chronic persistent RLS, respectively. Female sex, being employed, the presence of COVID-19 vaccine-related adverse events, decreased sleep duration, the presence of EDS, and current treatment for insomnia were significantly associated with chronic persistent RLS.

Conclusion

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of RLS and chronic persistent RLS in the adult Korean population was higher than that reported in previous studies.

Anemia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease as a risk factor for restless legs syndrome. Literature review

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neurological, sensorimotor disorder. It is characterized by the uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations in the legs which begin or worsen during periods of rest, primarily in the evening or night, and are relieved by movement. Central iron deficiency plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of RLS. There is evidence that chronic inflammation is an additional risk factor for RLS. Anemia is the most common complication and extraintestinal manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease, therefore the prevalence of RLS in these patients is a problem of great interest. In addition, inflammatory bowel disease patients’ sleep disturbances directly influence the disease’s clinical course and can be the preclinical marker of exacerbation. It is essential for clinicians to be aware of RLS as a possible reason for sleep disturbance and as a factor that negatively affects the quality of life in inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Prospective evaluation of sleep disturbances in chronic pancreatitis and its impact on quality of life: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) have poor quality of life (QOL). Sleep disorders affect QOL when associated with chronic pain and opioid use. Hence patients with CP may have unrecognized sleep disturbances.

AIMS

The aim of the study was to evaluate sleep disturbances in CP and its impact on QOL.

METHODS

Established CP patients were prospectively enrolled after exclusion of patients with co-morbidities known to negatively affect sleep and QOL. Three questionnaires were used to identify sleep disturbances, PROMISv1SF8, Insomnia Severity Index, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and one for restless leg syndrome (RLS). PANQOLI and SF12 questionnaires were used to evaluate QOL. Two blinded sleep pulmonologists evaluated the responses. QOL assessments were then analyzed in patients with and without sleep disturbances.

RESULTS

Of 89 patients, 48 met exclusion criteria, 41 were eligible, and 28 completed the study. Twenty patients (71%) had sleep disturbances with significantly worse scores across all 3 sleep questionnaires and also had lower scores on both PANQOLI (50 vs 76, p = 0.002) and SF-12 (physical component 29.3 vs 53.9, p < 0.001; mental component 36.4 vs 46.1, p = 0.03). Eleven patients (39%) had RLS and sleep disturbances.

CONCLUSION

In patients with established CP there was a high prevalence of sleep disturbances and RLS with worse QOL representing a potential therapeutic target to improve QOL.

LAG3/CD4 Genes Variants and the Risk for Restless Legs Syndrome

According to several studies, inflammatory factors could be related to the pathogenesis of idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS). In addition, RLS and Parkinson's disease (PD) have shown a possible relationship, and recent studies have shown an association between CD4 rs1922452 and CD4 rs951818 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and the risk for PD. For these reasons, we investigated the possible association between common variants in the LAG3/CD4 genes (which encoded proteins involved in inflammatory and autoimmune responses) and the risk for RLS in a Caucasian Spanish population. We assessed the frequencies of CD4 rs1922452, CD4 rs951818, and LAG3 rs870849 genotypes and allelic variants in 285 patients with idiopathic RLS and 350 healthy controls using a specific TaqMan-based qPCR assay. We also analyzed the possible influence of the genotypes' frequencies on several variables, including age at onset of RLS, gender, family history of RLS, and response to drugs commonly used in the treatment of RLS. We found a lack of association between the frequencies of genotypes and allelic variants of the 3 SNVs studied and the risk of RLS, and a weak though significant association between the CD4 rs1922452 GG genotype and an older age at onset of RLS. With the exception of this association, our findings suggest that common SNVs in the CD4/LAG3 genes are not associated with the risk of developing idiopathic RLS in Caucasian Spanish people.

Practice recommendations for the role of physiotherapy in the management of sleep disorders: the 2022 Brazilian Sleep Association Guidelines

This clinical guideline supported by the Brazilian Sleep Association comprises a brief history of the development of Brazilian sleep physiotherapy, outlines the role of the physiotherapist as part of a sleep health team, and describes the clinical guidelines in respect of the management of some sleep disorders by the physiotherapist (including sleep breathing disorders, i.e., obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, upper airway resistance syndrome, hypoventilation syndromes and overlap syndrome, and pediatric sleep breathing disorders; sleep bruxism; circadian rhythms disturbances; insomnia; and Willis-Ekbom disease/periodic limb movement disorder. This clinical practice guideline reflects the state of the art at the time of publication and will be reviewed and updated as new information becomes available.

Poor Sleep in Inflammatory Bowel Disease Is Reflective of Distinct Sleep Disorders

BACKGROUND

Poor sleep is common in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), predicting increased risk of flares, surgery, and/or hospitalization and reducing quality of life.

AIMS

To profile specific sleep disorder symptoms in IBD, informing intervention efforts.

METHODS

312 adults with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis were recruited from an academic medical center in New Hampshire, USA. Participants completed online surveys about sleep including well-validated measures of sleep quality, insomnia, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, and circadian rhythms. Participants also answered questions about IBD-related problems that could interfere with sleep.

RESULTS

69.4% of participants reported experiencing poor sleep and 50% reported clinically significant insomnia. Participants with active IBD symptoms were more likely to have poor sleep and insomnia. Of those with poor sleep, 67.8% met the clinical threshold for insomnia disorder and 31.3% met criteria for two or more sleep disorders. IBD-related sleep disruptions (e.g., nighttime awakenings due to bowel movements) were not significantly related to poor sleep quality, but significantly related to insomnia severity for participants with active Crohn's disease.

CONCLUSIONS

While poor sleep in IBD is reflective of a number of different sleep problems, it is most frequently related to insomnia. IBD symptom severity contributes to insomnia, but insomnia is also distinct from IBD-related sleep disruptions. Future research on the treatment of insomnia disorder in particular in individuals with IBD is warranted.

Revisiting brain iron deficiency in restless legs syndrome using magnetic resonance imaging

•

Increased iron in RLS was found in the caudate, putamen and red nucleus.

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A meta-analysis revealed no significant evidence of reduced iron in RLS as assessed by MRI.

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Evidence suggestive of publication bias for results on the substantia nigra was found.

•

Our results support the view that brain iron mobilization or homeostasis is impaired in RLS.

Study objectives

Studies on brain iron content in restless legs syndrome (RLS) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are heterogeneous. In this study, we sought to leverage the availability of a large dataset including a range of iron-sensitive MRI techniques to reassess the association between brain iron content and RLS with added statistical power and to compare these results to previous studies.

Methods

The relaxation rates R₂, R₂′, and R₂* and quantitative susceptibility are MRI parameters strongly correlated to iron content. In general, these parameters are sensitive to magnetic field variations caused by iron particles. These parameters were quantified within iron-rich brain regions using a fully automatized approach in a cohort of 72 RLS patients and individually age and gender-matched healthy controls identified from an existing dataset acquired at the Sleep Laboratory of the Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck. 3 T-MRI measures were corrected for age and volume of the segmented brain nuclei and results were compared with previous findings in a meta-analysis.

Results

In our cohort, RLS patients had increased R₂* signal in the caudate and increased quantitative susceptibility signal in the putamen and the red nucleus compared to controls, suggesting increased iron content in these areas. The meta-analysis revealed no significant pooled effect across all brain regions. Furthermore, potential publication bias was identified for the substantia nigra.

Conclusions

Normal and increased iron content of subcortical brain areas detected in this study is not in line with the hypothesis of reduced brain iron storage, but favors CSF investigations and post mortem studies indicating alteration of brain iron mobilization and homeostasis in RLS.

Restless Legs Syndrome Prevalence and Clinical Correlates Among Psychiatric Inpatients: A Multicenter Study

Background

There are only limited reports on the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with psychiatric disorders. The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and clinical correlates in psychiatric inpatients in Germany and Switzerland.

Methods

This is a multicenter cross-sectional study of psychiatric inpatients with an age above 18 years that were diagnosed and evaluated face-to-face using the International RLS Study Group criteria (IRLSSG) and the International RLS severity scale (IRLS). In addition to sociodemographic and biometric data, sleep quality and mood were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). In addition to univariate statistics used to describe and statistically analyze differences in variables of interest between patients with and without RLS, a logistic model was employed to identify predictors for the occurrence of RLS.

Results

The prevalence of RLS in a sample of 317 psychiatric inpatients was 16.4%, and 76.9% of these were diagnosed with RLS for the first time. RLS severity was moderate to severe (IRLS ± SD: 20.3 ± 8.4). The prevalences in women (p = 0.0036) and in first-degree relatives with RLS (p = 0.0108) as well as the body mass index (BMI, p = 0.0161) were significantly higher among patients with RLS, while alcohol consumption was significantly lower in the RLS group. With the exception of atypical antipsychotics, treatment with psychotropic drugs was not associated with RLS symptoms. Regarding subjective sleep quality and mood, scores of the PSQI (p = 0.0007), ISI (p = 0.0003), and ESS (p = 0.0005) were higher in patients with RLS, while PHQ-9 scores were not different. A logistic regression analysis identified gender (OR 2.67; 95% CI [1.25; 5.72]), first-degree relatives with RLS (OR 3.29; 95% CI [1.11; 9.73], ESS score (OR 1.09; 95% CI [1.01; 1.17]), and rare alcohol consumption (OR 0.45; 95% CI [0.22; 0.94] as predictors for RLS.

Conclusions

Clinically significant RLS had a high prevalence in psychiatric patients. RLS was associated with higher BMI, impaired sleep quality, and lower alcohol consumption. A systematic assessment of restless legs symptoms might contribute to improve the treatment of psychiatric patients.

Serum Trace Elements Concentrations in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome

Increased brain and serum zinc levels in patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (idiopathic RLS or iRLS) were described when compared with controls, suggesting a possible role of zinc in the pathogenesis of this disease. However, serum magnesium, calcium, manganese, iron, and copper levels of RLS patients were similar to controls, suggesting a specific impairment of zinc-dependent metabolism in RLS. The aim of this study is to assess the serum concentrations of trace elements involved in oxidative stress or causing peripheral nerve toxicity in a large series of patients with iRLS and controls. We determined serum levels of iron, copper, manganese, zinc, magnesium, selenium, calcium, aluminium, lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury in 100 patients diagnosed with iRLS and in 110 age- and sex-matched controls using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. Serum copper, magnesium, selenium, and calcium concentrations were significantly higher in RLS patients than in controls. These differences were observed both in men and women. There were no major correlations between serum trace metal concentrations and age at onset of RLS or RLS severity, nor was there any association with a family history of RLS or drug response. This study shows an association between increased serum concentrations of copper, magnesium, selenium, and calcium with RLS in a Spanish Caucasian population and does not confirm the previously reported increase in serum zinc concentrations in patients suffering from this disease, suggesting that the different accuracy of the analytical methods used could have influenced the inconsistent results found in the literature.

The prevalence of and risk factors for restless legs syndrome: A nationwide study

OBJECTIVES

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a neglected diagnosis, and most individuals with RLS do not access effective therapies. There has yet to be a nationwide study of the prevalence of and associated risk factors for RLS in Saudi Arabia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A population-wide survey was administered to Saudi Arabian adults to assess RLS prevalence and its association with other clinical and demographic variables. RLS was defined according to 2012 IRLSSG Diagnostic Criteria. Persistent RLS was defined as symptoms occurring more than a few nights each week, and RLS causing significant daytime impairment was defined as symptoms causing "severe" excessive daytime sleepiness measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Associations were evaluated using univariate analyses and binary logistic regression.

RESULTS

10,106 individuals completed the survey. Persistent RLS was reported in 11.9% of participants, which caused significant daytime impairment in 1.2% of participants. In multivariable analysis, younger age (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.95-0.97; p < 0.001), tobacco smoking (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.07-1.53; p = 0.008), anxiety (OR 1.34-1.42; p < 0.05), and moderate to severe depressive symptoms (OR 1.52-2.40; p < 0.01) were associated with persistent RLS. Younger age (OR 0.96, 95% CI 0.93-0.99; p = 0.015), female gender (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.32-3.94; p = 0.003), and moderately severe to severe depressive symptoms (OR 13.59 and 26.7, respectively; p < 0.001) were independently associated with RLS causing significant daytime impairment.

CONCLUSION

RLS is common in adults in Saudi Arabia and is often co-morbid with moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Both RLS and depression represent a silent epidemic in Saudi Arabia requiring active inquiry by all healthcare workers to reduce their burden and impact.

Correlation between vitamin D and poor sleep status in restless legs syndrome

BACKGROUND

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is closely related to poorer sleep quality. Vitamin D can regulate sleep regulation, cell proliferation, and differentiation. To measure whether vitamin D has predictive value for poor sleep quality in RLS was our aim in this study.

METHODS

To analyze the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in 95 RLS patients. We used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) to measure sleep quality. Subjects had been divided into a normal and poor-sleeper groups according to the PSQI score. Using correlation and regression analysis to explore underlying etiologies that affect sleep disorder in RLS patients.

RESULTS

Patients in the poor-sleeper group had significantly lower vitamin D levels in comparison to the normal group. The serum vitamin D levels were negative correlate with PSQI scores after adjusting for confounding factors. In addition, regression analysis showed that vitamin D could act as a predictor for sleep disorders in RLS patients (odds ratio [OR] = 0.008, p = 0.004). The area under the curve (AUC), cut-off value, sensitivity, and specificity of serum vitamin D was 0.967 (95% CI 0.935-0.998), 16.84 ng/ml, 87.5%, and 93.7% by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

CONCLUSION

Our study confirmed the relationship between poorer sleep quality and vitamin D in RLS. However, the causal relationship between vitamin D deficiency and RLS is currently inconclusive. The effect of vitamin D supplementation is needed to confirm as the therapeutic strategies for sleep disorders in RLS patients in future work.

Prevalence and correlates of restless legs syndrome in men living with HIV

Background

Data on the prevalence and correlates of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in people with HIV are limited. This study sought to determine the prevalence of RLS, associated clinical correlates, and characterize sleep-related differences in men with and without HIV.

Methods

Sleep-related data were collected in men who have sex with men participating in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). Demographic, health behaviors, HIV status, comorbidities, and serological data were obtained from the MACS visit coinciding with sleep assessments. Participants completed questionnaires, home polysomnography, and wrist actigraphy. RLS status was determined with the Cambridge-Hopkins RLS questionnaire. RLS prevalence was compared in men with and without HIV. Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine correlates of RLS among all participants and men with HIV alone. Sleep-related differences were examined in men with and without HIV by RLS status.

Results

The sample consisted of 942 men (56% HIV+; mean age 57 years; 69% white). The prevalence of definite RLS was comparable in men with and without HIV (9.1% vs 8.7%). In multinomial regression, HIV status was not associated with RLS prevalence. However, white race, anemia, depression, and antidepressant use were each independently associated with RLS. HIV disease duration was also associated with RLS. Men with HIV and RLS reported poorer sleep quality, greater sleepiness, and had worse objective sleep efficiency/fragmentation than men without HIV/RLS.

Conclusions

The prevalence of RLS in men with and without HIV was similar. Screening for RLS may be considered among people with HIV with insomnia and with long-standing disease.

Valerian Root in Treating Sleep Problems and Associated Disorders-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sleep problems are widely prevalent and associated with various comorbidities including anxiety. Valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) is a popular herbal medicine used as a sleep aid, however the outcomes of previous clinical studies are inconsistent. This study was conducted to update and re-evaluate the available data in order to understand the reason behind the inconsistent outcomes and to provide a broader view of the use of valerian for associated disorders. PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library were searched to retrieve publications relevant to the effectiveness of valerian as a treatment of sleep problems and associated disorders. A total of 60 studies (n=6,894) were included in this review, and meta-analyses were performed to evaluate the effectiveness to improve subjective sleep quality (10 studies, n=1,065) and to reduce anxiety (8 studies, n=535). Results suggested that inconsistent outcomes were possibly due to the variable quality of herbal extracts and that more reliable effects could be expected from the whole root/rhizome. In addition, therapeutic benefits could be optimized when it was combined with appropriate herbal partners. There were no severe adverse events associated with valerian intake in subjects aged between 7 and 80 years. In conclusion, valerian could be a safe and effective herb to promote sleep and prevent associated disorders. However, due to the presence of multiple active constituents and relatively unstable nature of some of the active constituents, it may be necessary to revise the quality control processes, including standardization methods and shelf life.

The Impact of Deep Brain Stimulation on Sleep in Parkinson's Disease: An update

Background:

Parkinson’s disease (PD) can have a significant impact on sleep. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for motor features of PD, but less is understood about the impact DBS may have on sleep architecture and various sleep issues commonly seen in PD.

Objective:

To review the impact of DBS on various sleep issues in PD.

Methods:

We reviewed the literature regarding the impact of DBS on sleep patterns, nocturnal motor and non-motor symptoms, and sleep disorders in PD.

Results:

Objective sleep measures on polysomnography (PSG), including sleep latency and wake after sleep onset improve after subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus interna (GPi) DBS. Subjective sleep measures, nocturnal motor symptoms, and some non-motor symptoms (nocturia) also may improve. Current evidence suggests STN DBS has no impact on Rapid Eye Movement Behavior Disorder (RBD), while STN DBS may improve symptoms of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). There are no studies that have evaluated the impact of GPi DBS on RBD, while it is unclear if GPi has an effect on RLS in PD.

Conclusion:

DBS therapy at either site appears to improve objective and subjective sleep parameters in patients with PD. Most likely, the improvement of motor and some non-motor nocturnal symptoms leads to an increase in total sleep time by up to an hour, as well as reduction of sleep fragmentation. DBS most likely has no impact on RBD, while there is evidence that STN DBS appears to help reduce RLS severity. Further studies are needed.

The prevalence and clinical characteristics of restless legs syndrome in patients with iron deficiency anemia in Korea

STUDY OBJECTIVES

While the prevalence and clinical characteristics of restless legs syndrome (RLS) are known to vary according to ethnicity, a detailed evaluation of this condition among patients with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) has not yet been reported in an Asian population. We investigated the prevalence and clinical characteristics of RLS in patients with IDA in Korea compared with age- and sex-matched patients diagnosed with idiopathic RLS.

METHODS

This prospective single-center study was performed at a regional university hospital. Consecutive patients with IDA were enrolled over a 4-year period. Clinical interviews and laboratory tests were conducted at the first visit. RLS diagnosis was confirmed through face-to-face interviews. We randomly selected patients with idiopathic RLS without comorbid medical disorders from our sleep center dataset as control patients. The clinical characteristics of both groups were compared.

RESULTS

We enrolled 124 patients with IDA. Fifty (40.3%) patients were diagnosed with RLS, with 82% exhibiting severe to very severe symptoms. Patients with IDA and RLS were older and reported more sleep deterioration than patients with IDA without RLS. Patients with IDA and RLS also had a more depressed mood and higher periodic limb movement index scores than patients with idiopathic RLS.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of RLS among patients with IDA in Korea was high, with the majority having severe to very severe symptoms. Patients with IDA and RLS had poorer sleep quality and more emotional problems than patients with IDA without RLS. Therefore, patients with IDA should be screened for RLS to prevent adverse effects on the quality of sleep and life.

Common Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms are not Related With the Risk for Restless Legs Syndrome

Because nitric oxide and endothelial dysfunction could play a role in the pathogenesis of idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS), as was suggested by some preliminary data, we investigated the possible association between the rs2070744 variants in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS or NOS3) gene (chromosome 7q36.1) and the risk for RLS in a Caucasian Spanish population. We assessed the frequencies of NOS3 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs2070744, rs1799983, and rs79467411 genotypes and allelic variants in 273 patients with idiopathic RLS and 325 healthy controls using a TaqMan-based qPCR assay. We also analyzed the possible influence of genotype frequency on age at onset of RLS symptoms, gender, family history of RLS, and response to drugs commonly used in the treatment of RLS such as dopaminergic drugs, clonazepam, and GABAergic drugs. The frequencies of genotypes and allelic variants were not associated with the risk for RLS and were not influenced by gender, age, and positive family history of RLS. We identified weak statistical associations of the SNP rs1799983 with the response to dopamine agonists (Pc = 0.018 for the rs1799983 G/T genotype) and of the SNP rs79467411 with the response to clonazepam (Pc = 0.018 for the rs79467411 G allele), although these findings should be cautiously interpreted and require further confirmation. These associations aside, our findings suggest that common NOS3 SNPs are not associated with the risk for idiopathic RLS in Caucasian Spanish people.

Restless Leg Syndrome in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis! Its Frequency, Severity, and Correlation

BACKGROUND

Restless leg syndrome (RLS) has been recognized as a typical additional manifestation among patients with cirrhosis of the liver. RLS prevalence in liver cirrhosis further worsens the quality of life, which has already been compromised with the disease-related complications of cirrhosis itself.

AIMS

The study aimed to determine the frequency and severity of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) among patients with cirrhosis of the liver and to correlate its severity with the severity of cirrhosis.

METHODS

This prospective cross-sectional study was carried out at Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital (Karachi, Pakistan) from December 2019 to February 2020. Three hundred and fifteen cirrhotic patients with any etiology were included in the study after informed written consent. Restless leg syndrome with its severity was determined in all cirrhotic patients. For continuous variables, means and medians with standard deviations were calculated, while percentages and proportions were used for discrete variables. Spearman correlation was used to find significance between RLS Severity Score (RSS) and Model of End-stage Liver Disease MELD Score. A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant for all analyses.

RESULTS

The frequency of RLS among cirrhotic patients was 38.4%. More than half (54.5%) of the patients had severe RLS. Viral related hepatitis C and hepatitis B were the most common cause of cirrhosis of the liver (57.8% and 30.8%). A significant difference was found between as patients both with or without RLS in terms of age (p=0.003), gender (p=0.005), hemoglobin (p=0.00), and serum albumin (p=0.01). No significant association was found between RLS severity score and MELD Score (p=0.693).

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of RLS is very high among cirrhotic patients, but no correlation was found between the severity of RLS and cirrhosis. Further studies should be carried out to assess the quality of life in cirrhotic patients having RLS.

Restless Legs Syndrome: Contemporary Diagnosis and Treatment

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized by an uncomfortable urge to move the legs while at rest, relief upon movement or getting up to walk, and worsened symptom severity at night. RLS may be primary (idiopathic) or secondary to pregnancy or a variety of systemic disorders, especially iron deficiency, and chronic renal insufficiency. Genetic predisposition with a family history is common. The pathogenesis of RLS remains unclear but is likely to involve central nervous system dopaminergic dysfunction, as well as other, undefined contributing mechanisms. Evaluation begins with a thorough history and examination, and iron measures, including ferritin and transferrin saturation, should be checked at presentation and with worsened symptoms, especially when augmentation develops. Augmentation is characterized by more intense symptom severity, earlier symptom occurrence, and often, symptom spread from the legs to the arms or other body regions. Some people with RLS have adequate symptom control with non-pharmacological measures such as massage or temperate baths. First-line management options include iron-replacement therapy in those with evidence for reduced body-iron stores or, alternatively, with prescribed gabapentin or pregabalin, and dopamine agonists such as pramipexole, ropinirole, and rotigotine. Second-line therapies include intravenous iron infusion in those who are intolerant of oral iron and/or those having augmentation with intense, severe RLS symptoms, and opioids including tramadol, oxycodone, and methadone. RLS significantly impacts patients' quality of life and remains a therapeutic area sorely in need of innovation and a further pipeline of new, biologically informed therapies.

Sleep disorders and cancer: State of the art and future perspectives

A bidirectional connection between sleep and cancer exists; however, the specific associations between individual sleep disorders and particular tumors are not very clear. An accurate assessment of sleep disorders in cancer patients is necessary to improve patient health, survival, response to therapy, quality of life, reduction of comorbidities/complications. Indeed, recent scientific evidence shows that knowledge and management of sleep disorders offer interesting therapeutic perspectives for the treatment of cancer. In light of this need, the objective of this review is to assess the evidence highlighted in the research of the last ten years on the correlation between each specific category of sleep disorder according to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders 3rd Ed. and several types of tumor based on their anatomical location (head-neck, including the brain and thyroid; lung; breast; ovary; endometrium; testes; prostate; bladder; kidney; gastrointestinal tract, subdivided into: stomach, liver, colon, pancreas; skin; bone tumors; hematological malignancies: leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, polycythemia), in order to evaluate what is currently known about: 1) sleep disorders as cancer risk factor; 2) tumors associated with the onset of sleep disorders; 3) targeted therapies of sleep disorders in cancer patients and new oncological perspectives following the evaluation of sleep.

Serum vitamin D, vitamin D receptor and binding protein genes polymorphisms in restless legs syndrome

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Several studies showed lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS) compared with matched controls, and a single study showed an association between the rs731236 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene and the risk for RLS. We aimed to study the relationship between the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and to confirm previous findings related to SNPs in the VDR and the GC vitamin D binding protein (GC) gene, with the risk for RLS in the Spanish Caucasian population.

METHODS

We genotyped 285 idiopathic RLS patients and 325 age and sex-matched controls for VDRrs2228750, VDRrs7975232, VDRrs739837, VDRrs78783628, GCrs7041 and GCrs4588 SNPs using TaqMan assays, and determined serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in 111 idiopathic RLS patients and 167 controls using an ELISA commercial kit.

RESULTS

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly higher in RLS patients than in controls but were unrelated with the 7 SNPs studied. None of the 7 SNPs analyzed was associated with the risk for idiopathic RLS or with a positive family history of RLS. However, RLS patients carrying the rs7975232CC genotype or the rs7975232C allele, had a higher frequency of response to GABAergic drugs. Associations between the age at onset and the severity of RLS with SNPs were inconsistent.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows an association between increased serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and a lack of association between 7 SNPs in the VDR and in the GC genes with RLS in the Spanish Caucasian population.

Acupuncture and related techniques for restless legs syndrome: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sensory disorder of the nervous system, which often affects the sleep quality of patients. Acupuncture and related techniques are increasingly used to treat neurological diseases, but their efficacy and safety for RLS are yet to be established. The purpose of this study is to summarize the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture and related techniques for RLS.

METHODS

We will conduct a comprehensive data retrieval, and the electronic databases will include PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, WangFang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journal Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, from establishment to October 2020. We will also manually search unpublished studies and references, and contact lead authors. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of acupuncture and related techniques for RLS will be included. The outcomes of interest include: The total effective rate and International Restless Leg Syndrome rating scale (IRLS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), adverse events, quality of life. To assess the methodological quality, we will use the Cochrane risk assessment tool. RevMan 5.3.5 software will be used to conduct data synthesis. The evidence quality of each outcome will be appraised according to Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).

RESULTS

The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.

CONCLUSION

This study will provide a high-quality evidence to evaluate the efficacy and adverse reactions of acupuncture and related techniques for RLS.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020157957.

Childhood restless legs syndrome: A longitudinal study of prevalence and familial aggregation

Restless legs syndrome is a relatively common neurological disorder in adults. In childhood, however, its prevalence and genetic contribution are still largely unknown. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) during childhood and adolescence in a large population-based cohort and evaluate the degree of association with parental history. Data from a large, prospective longitudinal cohort from the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development of 1,856 children born in 1997-1998 were studied from 2005 to 2013. The prevalence of RLS was assessed at ages 7, 8, 12, 13 and 15 years through a questionnaire completed by the mother. Parental history of RLS was also queried. Between 7 and 15 years of age, the yearly prevalence of RLS ranged from 2.4% to 3.1%, with a higher prevalence in boys than girls at 12 years old. The prevalence of RLS at any time during this period was 8.6% but only 1.8% of parents answered positively at least twice during the longitudinal study. This low persistent rate could be explained by remissions or the use of parental report. The prevalence was higher when there was at least one parent affected with RLS (13.0%) compared to children without a parental history (6.9%). Findings from this population-based study confirm the high prevalence of RLS in children aged 7-15 years and corroborate the strong familial aggregation for RLS. Parents should be encouraged to inform the paediatrician about the presence of RLS in the family to help the diagnostic process.

Sensorimotor white matter projections and disease severity in primary Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease: a multimodal DTI analysis

BACKGROUND

Restless Legs Syndrome, a potentially disabling sleep disorder, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS/WED), may be caused by loss of inhibitory modulation of descending central motor pathways, structural changes in the somatosensory cortex, abnormal connectivity between motor and sensory areas, as well as by subtle abnormalities in white matter micro-organization.

OBJECTIVE

To compare diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) metrics in areas associated with sensory or motor function, as well as sensorimotor integration, between subjects with primary mild-to-severe RLS/WED and controls.

METHODS

DTI metrics were assessed in 38 subjects with RLS/WED (14 mild to moderate, 24 severe to very severe) and 24 healthy age-matched controls with whole-brain Tract Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS), Region-of-interest (ROI) and probabilistic tractography based analyses. The ROIs corresponded to the corticospinal tract (CST) at the level of the cerebral peduncle; the superior, middle and inferior cerebellar peduncles. Subgroup analyses were made according to the severity of RLS/WED symptoms. The corticospinal tract was evaluated with probabilistic tractography. We also explored associations between significant findings and severity of symptoms with the Spearman's correlation coefficient.

RESULTS

TBSS analysis revealed decreased axial diffusivity (AD) in the left posterior thalamic radiation in RLS/WED. In subjects with severe RLS/WED, AD was reduced in the left posterior corona radiata and this reduction was negatively correlated with severity of symptoms. ROI-based analysis showed that radial diffusivity (RD) was increased in the superior cerebellar peduncles of individuals with severe RLS/WED. Tractography did not show between-group or subgroup differences.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results are consistent with subtle white matter changes, prominently in RLS/WED subjects with more severe symptoms, in areas related to sensory or motor function, as well as to sensorimotor integration, compared to controls. These findings support the hypothesis, raised by prior pathophysiological studies, of defective integration within these networks.

Structural neuroimaging findings in migraine patients with restless legs syndrome

PURPOSE

One out of three migraine patients might have accompanying restless legs syndrome (RLS). In our study, we aimed to compare the volumes of the brain structures of migraineurs with and without RLS.

METHODS

We had 37 female patients with migraine and 17 females as the control group. Nineteen migraineurs had no RLS (RLS₀) and 18 migraineurs had comorbidity of RLS (RLS₁). The volumes of the brain structures were obtained by manual measurements, volBrain, and voxel-based morphometry (VBM). Manually, we measured caudate and putamen volumes. We used age, years of education, depression, anxiety scores, and total intracranial volume as covariates.

RESULTS

According to VBM analyses, the volumes of the left superior occipital gyrus and precuneus were increased, and the substantia nigra and cuneus were decreased in the RLS₁ group compared with the RLS₀ group. RLS₁ patients had larger superior temporal gyrus, Brodmann area 38, and left insula, and RLS₀ patients had larger Brodmann area 22, right superior temporal gyrus, and Heschl gyrus compared with controls. Migraine and RLS₀ patients had a smaller corpus callosum anteriorly, whereas RLS₁ patients had a smaller splenium. Caudate volumes were larger in migraine patients via the three techniques. There was a positive relation between the caudate and putamen volumes and attack frequency.

CONCLUSIONS

Comorbidity of RLS might be a confounding factor in structural neuroimaging studies in migraine. Deficits in the visual network seem to be related to accompanying RLS; deficits in the auditory network are particularly related to migraine.

Sleep and sleep disorders in pregnancy

Pregnancy is associated with a number of physiologic changes in the body including hormonal, anatomical, and mechanical. These changes alter many physiologic functions including sleep. The literature suggests that a number of women develop changes in duration, pattern, and quality of sleep during pregnancy. In addition, these changes also pave the way for expression of sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome). Change in sleep and appearance of sleep disorders not only influence pregnant women, but also have negative influences on the fetus and outcomes of pregnancy. However, optimal management of these disorders may reverse adverse consequences. In this chapter, risk factors, clinical presentation, and management of insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, and restless legs syndrome during pregnancy are discussed in view of the available literature.

Multimodal Magnetic Resonance Imaging reveals alterations of sensorimotor circuits in restless legs syndrome

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Integrated information on brain microstructural integrity and iron storage and its impact on the morphometric profile is not available in restless legs syndrome (RLS). We applied multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including diffusion tensor imaging, the transverse relaxation rate (R2*), a marker for iron storage, as well as gray and white matter volume measures to characterize RLS-related MRI signal distribution patterns and to analyze their associations with clinical parameters.

METHODS

Eighty-seven patients with RLS (mean age 51, range 20-72 years; disease duration, mean 13 years, range 1-46 years, of those untreated n = 30) and 87 healthy control subjects, individually matched for age and gender, were investigated with multimodal 3T MRI.

RESULTS

Volume of the white matter compartment adjacent to the post- and precentral cortex and fractional anisotropy (FA) of the frontopontine tract were both significantly reduced in RLS compared to healthy controls, and these alterations were associated with disease duration (r = 0.25, p = 0.025 and r = 0.23, p = 0.037, respectively). Corresponding gray matter volume increases of the right primary motor cortex in RLS (p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with the right FA signal of the frontopontine tract (r = -0.22; p < 0.05). Iron content evaluated with R2* was reduced in the putamen as well as in temporal and occipital compartments of the RLS cohort compared to the control group (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Multimodal MRI identified progressing white matter decline of key somatosensory circuits that may underlie the perception of sensory leg discomfort. Increases of gray matter volume of the premotor cortex are likely to be a consequence of functional neuronal reorganization.

Short-interval intracortical inhibition is decreased in restless legs syndrome across a range of severity

BACKGROUND

Decreased short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) to transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the primary motor cortex was described in subjects with restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS/WED). It remained to be determined whether the magnitude of SICI decrease would be similar across levels of RLS/WED severity. Moreover, it was unknown whether, in addition to decreases in SICI, changes in cortical thickness or area could be detected in subjects with RLS/WED compared to controls. The objective of this study was to compare SICI, cortical thickness, and cortical area in subjects with idiopathic mild to moderate RLS/WED, severe to very severe RLS/WED, and controls.

METHODS

The severity of RLS/WED was assessed by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Severity Scale (IRLSS). SICI and 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of subjects with RLS/WED and controls were compared. A receiver operating characteristic curve for SICI was designed for discrimination of participants with RLS/WED from controls. Cortical thickness and area were assessed by automated surface-based analysis.

RESULTS

SICI was significantly reduced in patients with mild to moderate and severe to very severe RLS/WED, compared to controls (one-way analysis of variance: F = 9.62, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis predicted RLS/WED when SICI was above 35% (area under the curve = 0.79, 95% CI 0.67-0.91, p < 0.001). Analyses of the whole brain and of regions of interest did not reveal differences in gray matter thickness or area between controls and subjects with RLS/WED.

CONCLUSION

SICI is an accurate cortical biomarker that can support the diagnosis of RLS/WED even in subjects with mild symptoms, but cortical thickness and area were not useful for discriminating subjects with this condition from controls.

Update on Research and Practices in Major Sleep Disorders: Part II-Insomnia, Willis-Ekbom Disease (Restless Leg Syndrome), and Narcolepsy

PURPOSE

This review (Part II of a series on sleep disorders) presents an update of the characteristics, epidemiology, assessment, and latest management of insomnia, restless legs syndrome (Willis-Ekbom disease; RLS/WED), and narcolepsy. Insomnia, the most common sleep disorder and most prevalent of all psychological health disorders, is a problem of difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep and early morning awakenings. RLS/WED is characterized by a crawling sensation or urge to move the legs in the evening and nighttime. Narcolepsy is a sleep disorder that commonly results in chronic daytime sleepiness and cataplexy. Nonpharmacological management, which includes education, cognitive behavioral therapy, and complementary therapy, is used as primary or adjunctive to pharmacotherapy for the treatment of these disorders.

METHODS

This narrative review utilized medical databases such as PubMed to identify relevant English-language original and systematic review articles predominantly from peer-reviewed journals from 2012 to 2019. However, as background, findings from classic articles prior to 2012 were also included.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Assessment of sleep problems, excessive sleepiness, and difficulty performing activities or being productive should be routine in the care of all patients. Utilization of behavioral interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy, in addition to education and sleep hygiene, can promote sleep quality. Management of insomnia, RLS/WED, and narcolepsy should include helping patients adjust to treatment, managing cataplexy triggers in narcolepsy, and initiating strategies to live with chronic illness to improve quality of life.

Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in functional movement disorders: a case-control study from the Czech Republic

OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in functional movement disorders (FMD) is not known. Patients with FMD often present with multiple motor and sensory symptoms. Some of these symptoms might be due to comorbid RLS. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate possible association between FMD and RLS.

DESIGN

Case-control study.

SETTING

Movement Disorders Center, 1st Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic.

PARTICIPANTS

96 consecutive patients with clinically established FMD (80 females, mean age (SD) 45.0 (13) years), and 76 matched controls.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome measure was prevalence of RLS based on updated International RLS Study Group criteria. Secondary outcome measures included prevalence of periodic limb movements (PLM) using actigraphy; pain, motor and sensory symptoms in lower limbs; organic comorbidities and medication affecting RLS.

RESULTS

RLS criteria were fulfilled in 43.8% of patients (95% CI 34 to 54) and in 7.9% of controls (95% CI 3 to 17, p<0.00001). Both RLS and PLM indices (PLMi) ≥22.5/hour were found in 21.2% of patients with FMD and 2.6% of controls. Patients with FMD with RLS had a higher mean PLMi (p<0.001) and a higher proportion of PLMi ≥22.5/hour (p<0.01) than RLS-negative patients. Patients with RLS had higher prevalence of pain and sensory symptoms in lower limbs, no difference was found in medication and prevalence of organic comorbidities in patients with FMD with and without RLS.

CONCLUSIONS

We found an increased prevalence of RLS in patients with FMD. Clinical diagnosis of RLS was supported by actigraphic measurement of clinically relevant PLM in a significant proportion of patients with FMD. Although functional motor and sensory symptoms may mimic RLS, RLS may be unrecognised in patients with FMD. This finding may have clinical implications in management of FMD, and it raises the possibility of common pathophysiological mechanisms of FMD and RLS/PLM.

Clinical Sleep-Wake Disorders I: Focus on Hypersomnias and Movement Disorders During Sleep

Central disorders of hypersomnolence are characterized by daily periods of irrepressible need to sleep or daytime lapses into sleep, as defined in the current version of the International Criteria of Sleep Disorders. Thus, the unifying symptom is excessive daytime sleepiness which is not caused by any other sleep-wake disorder. Relevant disorders including narcolepsy type 1 and 2, idiopathic hypersomnia, Kleine-Levin syndrome, and insufficient sleep syndrome will be discussed. Other central disorders of hypersomnolence include hypersomnias due to medical or psychiatric disorders or because of medication or substance use.In sleep-related movement disorders, the cardinal symptom consists of simple, often stereotyped movements occurring during sleep. The most frequent disorder in this category of sleep-wake disorders is restless legs syndrome, which is often associated with period limb movements during sleep.

Advances in markers of prodromal Parkinson disease

Efforts to develop neuroprotective therapy for Parkinson disease (PD) are focusing on the early stages of disease, which offer the best opportunity to intervene. Early PD can be divided into preclinical, prodromal and clinical stages; in this Review, we focus on the prodromal stage and markers that can be used to identify prodromal PD. We consider the necessary properties of a marker, before providing an overview of the proven and potential markers of prodromal PD, including clinical nonmotor markers, clinical motor markers, neuroimaging markers and tissue biomarkers. Markers for which the ability to predict conversion to PD is supported by the strongest evidence include olfactory loss, REM sleep behaviour disorder and constipation. Markers with the highest diagnostic strength include REM sleep behaviour disorder, dopaminergic imaging and subtle motor parkinsonism. The lead time - the period between the appearance of a marker and conversion to PD - is highly variable between markers, ranging from 5 years for impaired motor performance to >20 years for autonomic symptoms. The cost of screening for these markers also varies dramatically: some require just questionnaires, whereas others require sophisticated scanning techniques. Finally, we summarize how prodromal and risk markers can be combined to estimate the probability that an individual has prodromal PD, with a focus on the International Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorders Society (MDS) Prodromal Parkinson Criteria.

Restless Legs Syndrome and Parkinson Disease: A Causal Relationship Between the Two Disorders?

Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease (RLS/WED) is a common sleep related movement disorder that can be idiopathic or occurs in comorbidity with other medical conditions such as polyneuropathy, iron deficiency anemia, multiple sclerosis, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, a growing body of literature investigated the association between RLS/WED and Parkinson's Disease (PD). Several questions regarding the comorbidity between these two disorders are still unanswered. If the insurgence of RLS/WED may precede the onset of PD, or if RLS/WED could represent a secondary condition of PD and if impaired dopaminergic pathway may represent a bridge between these two conditions are still debatable issues. In this review, we critically discuss the relationship between RLS/WED and PD by reviewing cross sectional and longitudinal studies, as well as the role of dopamine in these disorders. A twofold interpretation have to be taken into account: dopaminergic therapy may have a crucial role in the development of RLS/WED in PD patients or RLS/WED can be conceived as an early manifestation of PD rather than a risk factor. Several studies showed a high prevalence of RLS/WED in PD patients and several findings related to dopaminergic and iron alterations in both disorders, however up to now it is difficult to find a point of agreement between studies. A greater number of systematic and strongly controlled longitudinal studies as well as basic pathophysiological investigations particularly in RLS/WED are needed to clarify this complex relationship.