Prevalence and Clinical Characteristics of the Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) in Patients Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Antioquia

Abstract

Introduction: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common behavioral issue for children. One of the sleeping disorders most frequently related to ADHD is the Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs, something that is generally associated with paresthesias and motor restlessness. The prevalence rate of RLS in children diagnosed with ADHD is close to 18%, but in Colombia, these cases have been hardly studied. Objective: To determine the frequency of RLS, in children with ADHD. Methods: A cross-sectional study, filled out by parents of children diagnosed with ADHD, were analyzed. This questionnaire contained clinical criteria for classifying ADHD according to the DSM-IV, as well as diagnostic criteria for RLS by the National Institutes of Health (2003). Results: A predominance rate of 65.6% in combined ADHD was observed in children with RLS criteria. Upon carrying out an exploratory data analysis, it was found that having a family history of RLS and belonging to the middle or low socioeconomic strata are conditions associated with the presence of RLS in children with ADHD, with a significant p (p < 0.000) and a PR of 4.47 (3.16-6.32). Conclusions: The prevalence of RLS was similar to the findings of other clinical investigations. However, it highlights new prevalence values in relation to the comorbidity between ADHD and RLS, suggesting the need for new clinical and therapeutic alternatives amidst the presence of both syndromes. ResumenIntroducción: El trastorno de hiperactividad con déficit de atención (TDAH) es el problema de comportamiento más común en la infancia. Uno de los trastornos de sueño que más se ha relacionado el TDAH es el síndrome de piernas inquietas (SPI) el cual conlleva un deseo irresistible de mover las piernas que, en general, se asocia con parestesias e inquietud motora. La prevalencia del SPI en la población infantil diagnosticada con TDAH es de cerca del 18 %. Sin embargo, en Colombia han sido escasamente estudiados. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de SPI en niños con TDAH. Método: se realizó un estudio de corte transversal, con el uso de cuestionarios diligenciados por los padres de niños con diagnóstico de TDAH. Dicho cuestionario contenía criterios clínicos para la clasificación del TDAH según el DSM-IV, y criterios diagnósticos para SPI del National Institutes of Health pediatric restless legs syndrome (2003). Resultados: Los niños con criterios de SPI tuvieron predominio del TDAH combinado en un 65.6%. Al realizar el análisis exploratorio se encontró que tener historia familiar de SPI y estrato medio o bajo se asocian con la presencia del SPI en niños con TDAH, con una p significativa (p < 0.000) y una . Conclusiones: La prevalencia de SPI fue similar a los hallazgos de otras investigaciones clínicas, sin embargo, resalta nuevos valores de prevalencia en relación a la comorbilidad entre el TDAH y el SPI, sugiriendo la necesidad de habilitar nuevas alternativas clínicas y terapéuticas en la presencia de ambos...

A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study of Sleep Disturbances in Children with ADHD and Matched Controls

“…In a literature review conducted by Cortese and colleagues [ 46 ], it was found that approximately 44% of subjects with ADHD have been found to have RLS or RLS symptoms. Apart from that, other researchers have also found varying percentages of RLS/RLS symptoms in their ADHD sample, with some reporting 6.8% [ 47 ], 26.1% [ 48 ], or 42.7% [ 49 ] with RLS. This broad range of values can be due to methodological differences that can be attributed to use of questionnaires versus IRLSSG criteria, age range of samples, medication status, and presence of comorbid conditions.…”