BACKGROUND: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep disorder. In 1995, clinical criteria for the diagnosis of RLS were defined. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical spectrum in a series of unselected RLS patients meeting the new diagnostic criteria. METHODS: We prospectively assessed by questionnaire and clinical assessment the characteristics of 55 consecutive RLS patients (35 women, 20 men; mean age = 62 +/- 16 years). RESULTS: In 27% of the patients, RLS started before the age of 20 years (early-onset RLS). Sensory disturbances were painful in 56% of patients and felt in legs (98%), arms (35%), and 'internally' (45%). Motor disturbances included 'dyskinesias while awake' (36%). Insomnia (58%) was commoner than hypersomnia (24%). In 67% of the patients, no etiology of RLS was found (idiopathic RLS). Early-onset RLS was more commonly familial (p = 0.01) and associated with 'growing pains' (p = 0.005) than late-onset RLS. Patients with RLS and hypersomnia were younger (p = 0.01) and less commonly had painful sensations (p = 0.04) than patients with RLS and insomnia. Patients with idiopathic RLS were younger (p = 0.004), and less commonly had insomnia (p = 0.01) than patients with symptomatic RLS. CONCLUSIONS: RLS is a clinically pleomorphic syndrome, reflecting the contribution of multiple genetic and acquired factors in the pathogenesis of RLS. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel
BACKGROUND:Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep disorder. In 1995, clinical criteria for the diagnosis of RLS were defined. OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical spectrum in a series of unselected RLSpatients meeting the new diagnostic criteria. METHODS: We prospectively assessed by questionnaire and clinical assessment the characteristics of 55 consecutive RLSpatients (35 women, 20 men; mean age = 62 +/- 16 years). RESULTS: In 27% of the patients, RLS started before the age of 20 years (early-onset RLS). Sensory disturbances were painful in 56% of patients and felt in legs (98%), arms (35%), and 'internally' (45%). Motor disturbances included 'dyskinesias while awake' (36%). Insomnia (58%) was commoner than hypersomnia (24%). In 67% of the patients, no etiology of RLS was found (idiopathic RLS). Early-onset RLS was more commonly familial (p = 0.01) and associated with 'growing pains' (p = 0.005) than late-onset RLS. Patients with RLS and hypersomnia were younger (p = 0.01) and less commonly had painful sensations (p = 0.04) than patients with RLS and insomnia. Patients with idiopathic RLS were younger (p = 0.004), and less commonly had insomnia (p = 0.01) than patients with symptomatic RLS. CONCLUSIONS:RLS is a clinically pleomorphic syndrome, reflecting the contribution of multiple genetic and acquired factors in the pathogenesis of RLS. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel
Authors: Charlene Gamaldo; Amy R Benbrook; Richard P Allen; Oluwamurewa Oguntimein; Christopher J Earley Journal: Sleep Med Date: 2008-01-28 Impact factor: 3.492
Authors: Wayne A Hening; Richard P Allen; Mystinna Washburn; Suzanne R Lesage; Christopher J Earley Journal: Sleep Med Date: 2009-01-29 Impact factor: 3.492
Authors: Jonathan Lee; David D M Nicholl; Sofia B Ahmed; Andrea H S Loewen; Brenda R Hemmelgarn; Jaime M Beecroft; Tanvir C Turin; Patrick J Hanly Journal: J Clin Sleep Med Date: 2013-05-15 Impact factor: 4.062