Restless Legs Syndrome Is Common among Female Patients with Fibromyalgia

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) among the general population is 2–15%, and with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) 2%. Both RLS and FMS are more common among women. The aim of our study was to evaluate the prevalence of RLS in a group of female patients diagnosed with FMS and to compare the occurrence of symptoms of daytime sleepiness and experienced sleep disorders between fibromyalgia patients with or without RLS. Method: Three hundred and thirty-two female patients, 20–60 years old, diagnosed with FMS at Skönviks Rehab between 2002 and 2006, answered a questionnaire mailed to their home address. The questionnaire consisted of the international RLS study group criteria as well as of questions concerning symptoms of insomnia and daytime sleepiness measured according to the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Results: Nearly 64% of the women were also suffering from RLS. More patients suffering from both RLS and FMS were affected by problems of initiating and maintaining sleep than those suffering from FMS only. More patients suffering from both RLS and FMS did not feel refreshed on awakening compared with those suffering from FMS without RLS. The patients with concomitant RLS and FMS were more often hypersomnolent than those suffering from FMS only. Conclusion: This study shows that 64% of a group of female patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia also concurrently suffered from RLS. Compared with patients who suffer from FMS only, patients with both FMS and RLS more often experience sleep disturbances and pronounced daytime sleepiness.

The Prevalence of Fibromyalgia in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome

“…The presence of RLS in patients with FM was investigated previously, but the presence of FM has not been studied in patients with RLS. Stehlik et al (44) reported that the presence of FM in patients with RLS might be lower. In our study, FM prevalence was high in patients with RLS (36.67%) and was significantly higher (5 times) than that of the control group.…”

“…The prevalence of RLS in studies in patients with FM was found as 65% (9,38). Although both diseases are known to be associated, differential diagnosis might be difficult in patients with severe pain in the lower extremities.…”

“…For the first time, RLS and leg cramps were reported more frequent in patients with FM in a study by Yunus and Aldag (8). The incidence of RLS in patients with FM was reported as 64% in later studies and this was 10 times higher than in controls (9,10). The demonstration of the efficacy of dopaminergic drugs in the treatment of both diseases has brought about the theory that they share the same pathogenesis (11).…”

Restless Legs Syndrome in Behçet's Disease

“…Dopaminergic abnormalities have been hypothesized in the aetiology of RLS. 26 Stehlik et al 6 found that 64% of patients diagnosed with FMS (a rheumatological and chronic pain condition) were also affected by RLS, and FMS prevalence is markedly increased in patients with BD. 11 It has been postulated that FMS and RLS may possess a similar pathophysiology, such as a dysfunction of the CNS dopaminergic system.…”

“…11 It has been postulated that FMS and RLS may possess a similar pathophysiology, such as a dysfunction of the CNS dopaminergic system. 6 In addition, Wood et al 27 recently used positron emission tomography to demonstrate that FMS patients have an abnormal dopamine response to pain. Dopaminergic cells have been found to have potentially nociceptive functional capacity, 28 -30 and CNS involvement in BD may result in a dysfunction of the CNS dopaminergic system.…”