BACKGROUND: There have been no studies of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in idiopathic restless legs syndrome (iRLS) patients. The aims of this study were to evaluate the future risk of stroke in iRLS patients using computer software-assisted automated IMT measurement systems. METHODS: We measured the carotid IMT by high-resolution B-mode ultrasound with Intimascope software in 38 iRLS patients and 64 controls. RESULTS: The mean value of the maximum IMT in iRLS patients was significantly lower than that in controls (p < 0.05). In multiple linear regression analysis, younger age and the presence of iRLS remained statistically significant. Younger age or the presence of iRLS was highly correlated with a lower value of the maximum IMT (p < 0.001, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We suggest that iRLS patients may have a lower risk of progression of atherosclerosis.
BACKGROUND: There have been no studies of carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in idiopathic restless legs syndrome (iRLS) patients. The aims of this study were to evaluate the future risk of stroke in iRLS patients using computer software-assisted automated IMT measurement systems. METHODS: We measured the carotid IMT by high-resolution B-mode ultrasound with Intimascope software in 38 iRLS patients and 64 controls. RESULTS: The mean value of the maximum IMT in iRLS patients was significantly lower than that in controls (p < 0.05). In multiple linear regression analysis, younger age and the presence of iRLS remained statistically significant. Younger age or the presence of iRLS was highly correlated with a lower value of the maximum IMT (p < 0.001, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: We suggest that iRLS patients may have a lower risk of progression of atherosclerosis.