Restless Legs Syndrome

A condition characterized by a nearly irresistible urge to move the legs, typically in the evenings.

Restless legs syndrome typically occurs while sitting or lying down. It generally worsens with age and can disrupt sleep.

The main symptom is a nearly irresistible urge to move the legs.

Getting up and moving around helps the unpleasant feeling temporarily go away. Self-care steps, lifestyle changes, or medications may help.

Cluster Number:
Wiki Number: PW187
Diagnosis: Restless Legs Syndrome (
US Patients: 2-15% of the population, higher %s when along with some other difficulties.
World Patients:
Sex Ratio: M;F2
Age Onset: “Early Onset RLS” hereditary, starts before age 45 and worsens over time. Late-onset RLS starts suddenly after 45, doesn’t worsen’
Brain Area: genetic, autosomal dominant (only needs gene from one parent)
Symptoms: Long term-urging leg (and sometimes arm) movement; sensation/pain begins while awake but relaxing.
Progression: worsened by any surgery, but especially back surgery or injury
Causes: “motor restlessness” – worsen by relaxation, iron deficiency, dopamine changes, reduced leg-oxygen levels, some medications
Medications: gabapentin, opioids – when resistant to other medications
Therapies: regular exercise, good sleep practices, stopping smoking; stretching legs and walking bring temporary relief

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WIKIPEDIA ARTICLE.

Youtube Video:

Restless Leg Syndrome

Youtube Video: Kids Not Sleeping-Restless Legs Might Be The Problem

Amazon or Library Book: Restless Legs Syndrome

Click the book to link or order from Amazon.

Support Group: rls.org; 512-366-9109 (Restless Legs Foundation)

4 CURRENT ARTICLES
FROM PUBMED

The world-wide medical research
reports chosen for each diagnosis

Clicking each title opens the
PubMed article’s summary-abstract.

Sleep state of the elderly population in Korea: Nationwide cross-sectional population-based study
by Heewon Hwang on January 26, 2023
CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of the elderly Korean population have sleep problems, including poor sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and insomnia. Sleep status is influenced by various factors, including age, sex, and metabolic and psychiatric comorbidities.
Long-term Safety, Dose Stability, and Efficacy of Opioids for Patients With Restless Legs Syndrome in the National RLS Opioid Registry
by John Weyl Winkelman on January 25, 2023
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensory-motor neurological disorder. Low-dose opioids are prescribed for patients with refractory or augmented Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). The long-term safety, dose stability and efficacy of these medications for RLS treatment is still unclear. We report here the 2-year longitudinal data in a sample of patients treated with opioids for RLS in the community.
Emergence of restless legs syndrome during opioid discontinuation
by Stuart J McCarter on January 24, 2023
CONCLUSIONS: Moderately severe symptoms of RLS, as assessed by survey, occur commonly in individuals undergoing opioid tapering, particularly if exposed to higher doses. In many cases, symptoms appear to be self-limited, although a minority develop persistent symptoms. Our results may have implications for successful opioid tapering, but future confirmatory studies with structured clinician interview are needed to establish that these symptoms truly represent restless legs syndrome given the...
Pharmacological responsiveness of periodic limb movements in patients with restless legs syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
by Silvia Riccardi on January 24, 2023
CONCLUSIONS: Dopaminergic agents are the most powerful suppressors of PLMS. However, most therapeutic trials in RLS do not report objective polysomnographic findings, there's a lack of uniformity in presenting results on PLMS. Longitudinal polysomnographic interventional studies, using well-defined and unanimous scoring criteria and endpoints on PLMS are needed.