Restless Legs Syndrome in Parkinson’s Disease

Abstract

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) might worsen sleep quality and quality of life in people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD). Objective: The main aim of the present study is to explore the associations between RLS and sleep, quality of life and other non-motor symptoms (NMS) in a sample of PwPD. Methods: We compared the clinical features of 131 PwPD with and without RLS, in a cross-sectional study. We used several validated scales for assessment: the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group rating scale (IRLS), Parkinson’s Disease Sleep Scale version 2 (PDSS-2), Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), Non-Motor Symptoms Questionnaire (NMSQ) and International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Non-Motor Rating Scale (MDS-NMS). Results: Thirty-five patients (26.71%) out of the total PwPD met the RLS diagnostic criteria, without significant differences between male (57.14%) and female (42.87%) (p = 0.431). Higher total scores of PDSS-2 were recorded among PwPD + RLS (p < 0.001), suggesting worse sleep quality. Significant correlations were observed between the diagnosis of RLS and some types of pain (especially nocturnal pain), physical fatigue and probable sleep-disordered breathing, according to the MDS-NMSS assessment. Conclusions: RLS has a high frequency in PwPD and it requires proper management, considering its consequences on sleep and quality of life.

Correlates of Restless Legs Syndrome in Older People

“…Various comorbidities such as kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, obstructive lung disease, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, chronic liver disease, and neurological, rheumatological and respiratory disorders may accompany RLS [ 2 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 40 ]. In a cross-sectional study including 5324 subjects, high cholesterol and hypertension were associated with RLS [ 41 ].…”

“…Patients with RLS could be deficient in vitamins D and B12 [ 14 , 15 ]. Various comorbidities such as kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, chronic liver disease, and neurological, rheumatological and respiratory disorders accompany RLS [ 2 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. In our recent study, a significantly higher number of amalgam dental fillings were found in older adults with RLS as compared to the subjects without RLS symptoms [ 20 ].…”

Non-motor symptoms in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: current state and future directions

“…Certain conditions, such as iron deficiency, anemia, pregnancy, end-stage renal disease, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy, can exacerbate or contribute to RLS. Many neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, spinocerebellar ataxias, Huntington's disease, and hereditary spastic paraparesis, have been associated with a higher occurrence of RLS [209][210][211][212]. So far, only four studies assessed this non-motor symptom in ALS patients [213][214][215][216].…”

Too little or too much nocturnal movements in Parkinson’s disease: A practical guide to managing the unseen

“…There may also be accompanying movements as a result of patients trying to relieve their discomfort which is important information that may aid clinical diagnosis. The reported prevalence of RLS is around 50 % in PD population studies [115] , [116] , [117] , [118] . The diagnosis of RLS in PD, as in the general population, is based primarily on clinical interview and evaluation but this can be supplemented with the sensory component of the suggested immobilisation test (SIT) test showing an increase in sensory leg discomfort [109] , [119] .…”