Background: Numerous randomised controlled trials have proved the efficacy of dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic drugs in the treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS). In contrast, epidemiological data demonstrate generally insufficient RLS treatment in clinical practice.
Objective: To prospectively assess the success of RLS treatment in the clinical setting and to evaluate potential demographic factors and comorbidities that may influence the response to therapy.
Methods: 100 patients with idiopathic RLS (40% had never received RLS specific treatment before) were examined at baseline and after 12 months. Recommendations for therapy according to RLS treatment guidelines of the German Neurological Society were given at baseline. Primary measures for the success of therapy were reduction of RLS symptoms (IRLS) and improvement of quality of life (RLS-QoL).
Results: No statistically significant improvement of IRLS or RLS-QoL was detected after 12 months, in initially untreated or in pretreated patients. Poor treatment success, regarding improvement of RLS symptoms, quality of life and number of RLS related physician contacts was related to the presence of neuropsychiatric comorbidity--that is, somatoform disorders (prevalence 41%), chronic pain (32%), anxiety (20%) and major depression (16%).
Conclusion: Success of guideline based treatment of RLS appears to be rather poor in clinical practice. Neuropsychiatric comorbidity may be a target for interventions to improve overall outcome.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jnnp.2010.211417 | DOI Listing |
Front Neurol
January 2025
Department of Public Health, Atish Dipankar University of Science and Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Introduction: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom Disease (WED), is a sensorimotor disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, typically accompanied by discomfort. Low iron levels, pregnancy, and age are some identified risk factors. RLS is treated using various pharmacological options, including dopamine agonists, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, opioids, and bupropion.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Psychiatry
December 2024
Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.
Introduction: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder of the nervous system that is mainly characterized by nighttime leg discomfort and can be accompanied by significant anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders. RLS seriously affects the quality of life. Clinical studies have confirmed that acupuncture can alleviate the clinical symptoms of RLS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrain Pathol
January 2025
Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Neurological Hospital, Tokyo Metropolitan Hospital Organization, Tokyo, Japan.
The shift toward a histo-molecular approach in World Health Organization classification of central nervous system tumors (WHO CNS5) emphasizes the critical role of molecular testing, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and DNA methylation profiling, for accurate diagnosis. However, implementing these advanced techniques is particularly challenging in resource-constrained countries. To address this, the Asian Oceanian Society of Neuropathology committee for Adapting Diagnostic Approaches for Practical Taxonomy in Resource-Restrained Regions (AOSNP-ADAPTR) was initiated to help pathologists in resource-limited regions to implement WHO CNS5 diagnoses using simpler diagnostic tools, mainly immunohistochemistry.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCardiovasc Diagn Ther
December 2024
Department of Ultrasound, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou, China.
Background: About 30% of ischemic strokes do not have a clear cause, which is called cryptogenic stroke (CS). Increasing evidence suggests a potential link between CS and right-to-left shunt (RLS). RLS may lead to CS via paradoxical embolic mechanism.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSleep
January 2025
Clinical Neurophysiology Research Unit and Sleep Research Centre, Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy.
Study Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effect of dopamine agonists (DA) and Clonazepam on Large Muscle Group Movements during sleep (LMM), a distinct motor phenomenon, in Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 51 drug-free adult patients with RLS, divided into three groups: 33 received a DA (pramipexole or ropinirole), 15 received clonazepam, and 18 received a placebo. Each patient underwent two consecutive nocturnal polysomnographic (PSG) recordings: one baseline and one following treatment administration.
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