Restless legs syndrome and cancer: an analysis in three independent studies

Abstract

We report results from three independently conducted studies on the prevalence of cancer in restless legs syndrome (RLS) cases and non RLS cases. Already in 1955 Ekbom observed RLS in patients with subsequently detected cancer. Since then only three case reports and one article assessed the relationship between RLS and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. The observed proportion of RLS in these cancer patients (18.3%) was about twice as high as in general population studies. Two of our studies were general population based studies (Dortmund Health Study (DHS); Study of Health in Pomerania (SHIP)) and one was performed among members of the German and Swiss RLS patient organizations (Course of Restless Legs Syndrome-Study (COR-S)). Additionally we used data from the population based, regional cancer registry of the Muenster district for comparisons. Our data show that in all three studies the prevalence of cancer was higher in RLS cases than in non cases for both genders. In two of the studies the increased risk was in part explained by age. The data of the COR-Study revealed a statistically significant higher risk for cancer in RLS subjects compared to the population based data of the regional cancer registry of Muenster. Our results suggest a higher proportion of cancer among RLS cases compared to individuals without RLS. Given an RLS prevalence of about 5 to 10 percent in the general population, a need to rule out cancer in patients with a new onset of RLS, especially among the elderly patients is important.

Worsening Restless Leg Syndrome Symptoms as a Presentation of Colon Cancer: A Reminder to Work Up the Anemia

“…There have been a few case reports of RLS as an early symptom of malignancy, including multiple myeloma, bladder cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer (Brocklehurst, 2003; EKBOM, 1955; Parish, 2005). On a larger scale, an epidemiological study in Europe found a significantly increased prevalence of cancer in patients with RLS compared to the age-matched general population (Fuhs et al, 2014). Likewise, a large cross-sectional study also reported the prevalence of RLS in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Italy to be 18.3%, nearly twice greater than that of the general population (Ostacoli et al, 2010).…”

Serum Interleukin-6 is Not Linked with Sleep-Quality, Restless Legs Syndrome, and Depression, But with 6-Month Survival in Hematological Malignancies

“…[40] Similar results ranging from three to nine times the prevalence in normal population have been reported earlier as well; however, these subjects were undergoing chemotherapy and reported in solid tumors. [151631] Lesser prevalence has been reported in subjects undergoing palliative care, probably related to use of opioid therapy during palliation. [14] Anemia is common in patients suffering from cancer, as also seen in the present study [Table 2].…”

“…[15] Conversely, higher prevalence of malignancies has also been reported among patients suffering from RLS; however, it was not related to either radiotherapy or chemotherapy. [16] For unknown reasons, RLS can also be an antecedent to the diagnosis of malignancy. [16]…”