Alexithymia, Anger, Sensitivity to Mild Bodily Sensations and Personality Characteristics of Restless Legs Syndrome Patients: A Case-control Study.

Objective: This study aims to asess alexithymia, anger and its expression, sensitivity to bodily sensations, personality, and their relationship with the severity of the disease in patients with Restless Legs Syndrome.

Method: The study included 63 patients diagnosed with Restless Legs Syndrome and 63 age, gender and education matched controls. All participants were given, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Somatosensory Amplification Scale, The State Trait Anger Scale and Temperament and Character Inventory. The severity of Restless Legs Syndrome was evaluated using the Restless Legs Syndrome Severity Rating Scale.

Results: The trait anger score (p=0,001), sensitivity to bodily sensations (p<0,001), and the total score of alexithymia (p<0,001) were significantly higher in the patient group Reward dependence in patient group was significantly higher (p=0,008). Restless Legs Syndrome severity positively correlated with trait anger level (r=0,360; p=0,015) and alexithymia total score (r=0,373; p=0,003). Restless Legs Syndrome severity negatively correlated with self-directedness (r=-0,323; p=0,010).

Conclusion: We demonstrated that alexithymia, sensitivity to body sensations, and anger was high in restless leg syndrome in Restless Legs Syndrome. Restless Legs Syndrome is linked to physical and mental symptoms and certain personality traits.