Retrospective Analysis of Risk Factors for Periodic Limb Movements in a Large Cohort of Insomnia and Chronic Fatigue Patients.

Introduction: Although the pathophysiology of periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) is not well understood, there is increasing belief that management of PLMS can modulate humans' general health. The aim of this study is to investigate the associations between risk factors including the use of antidepressants, hypnotics, and antihistamines as well as of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine and the occurrence of PLMS and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD).

Methods: Patients with either chronic fatigue or insomnia who underwent polysomnography as standardized clinical assessment were included in a retrospective study.