Is there any association between antidepressants and restless legs syndrome in a large Turkish population receiving mono or combined treatment? A cross-sectional comparative study

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Here, we aimed at investigating whether the treatment with antidepressants is associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS) and at determining the effects of mono or combined antidepressant therapy on the patients with RLS. METHODS: Five hundred and fifty-five patients with RLS receiving mono or combined antidepressant therapy were included in the study group, and 555 individuals with no history of the use of antidepressants constituted the control group. The diagnosis of restless leg syndrome was performed using a questionnaire under the criteria formed by the International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group. RESULTS: Both the patients treated with antidepressants in the study group and those in the control group had similar demographic characteristics. The prevalence of RLS was detected as 9.2% (n = 51) in the study group treated with antidepressants and as 5.9% (n = 33) in the controls. The difference was statistically significant at borderline (p = 0.053). While restless leg syndrome was diagnosed merely in 9 (6.8%) of 133 patients receiving combined treatment, 42 (10%) of 422 patients receiving monotherapy were diagnosed with RLS, and the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.306). The frequency of developing restless leg syndrome was found to be significant only in the use of escitalopram (p = 0.023), whereas it was found to have a tendency to significant in the use of duloxetine (p = 0.060). Among other participants receiving mono or combined treatment, no significant difference was observed. CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of RLS can be seen as an adverse effect in the patients receiving mono or combined antidepressant treatment; however, the frequency of restless leg syndrome among those treated with antidepressants is similar to that seen in general population. ARTICLE HISTORY

Restless Legs Syndrome among patients receiving antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs

“…In contrast to our results, Odabaş and Uca (2018) clarified that the use of antidepressant drugs had limited association with RLS. -5 of 8…”

Is restless legs syndrome related with depression/anxiety disorders or medications used in these disorders? A cross-sectional, clinic-based study

“…On the contrary, there was improvement in the prevalent symptoms of RLS with the use of SSRIs [16]. In a study conducted in our country the prevalence of RLS was found as 5.9% among the controls, and 9.2% among the patients being treated with antidepressants and the difference between both groups was statistically significant at borderline [15] (p = 0.053).…”

“…In addition, Baughman and colleagues found no significant risk of RLS development in patients using combined antidepressants [39]. In another study conducted by Odabas and Uca no statistically significant difference was determined between the groups receiving mono or combined treatment [15].…”

“…Another study reported that 9% of the patients which were included in the study were diagnosed with SSRI-induced RLS [14]. In a study conducted in our country by Odabas and Uca, the prevalence of RLS was found 5.9% among the controls and 9.2% in the patients treated with antidepressants, and the difference between both groups was statistically significant at a limited level [15]. However, some other studies reported that the use of SSRIs to be associated with impairment in preexisting RLS symptoms [16].…”

Mirtazapine-associated movement disorders: A literature review

“…For 1990 and 2019, a total of 52 reports containing 179 individuals that developed a MD associated with MTZ were identified from 20 different countries [ Table 1 ] [ 10 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 ]. 103 individuals were from European countries, 49 Asian, 17 Australian, 8 North American, and 2 South American.…”