Restless Legs Syndrome

Restless Legs Syndrome

2004 | Suzanne Lesage, MD* Christopher J. Earley, MD, PhD
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations. The condition significantly disrupts sleep and negatively impacts quality of life. Treatment options include pharmacological interventions, with dopamine agonists being the initial choice for daily symptoms. Low doses taken in the evening or 2 hours before bed provide adequate relief for many patients. Iron deficiency anemia is a common finding in RLS patients, and iron replacement can resolve or reduce symptom severity. Augmentation, characterized by earlier onset, increased intensity, and involvement of more body parts, is more prevalent with levodopa. Opiates and antiepileptics are also beneficial for patients experiencing pain. Newer anticonvulsants and intravenous iron are potential additional treatment options, though further research is needed. The pathophysiology of RLS is not fully understood, but it appears to have a familial component and is associated with iron deficiency. Initial evaluation should include serum iron indices, and iron replacement is effective for those with known iron deficiency.Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs, often accompanied by uncomfortable sensations. The condition significantly disrupts sleep and negatively impacts quality of life. Treatment options include pharmacological interventions, with dopamine agonists being the initial choice for daily symptoms. Low doses taken in the evening or 2 hours before bed provide adequate relief for many patients. Iron deficiency anemia is a common finding in RLS patients, and iron replacement can resolve or reduce symptom severity. Augmentation, characterized by earlier onset, increased intensity, and involvement of more body parts, is more prevalent with levodopa. Opiates and antiepileptics are also beneficial for patients experiencing pain. Newer anticonvulsants and intravenous iron are potential additional treatment options, though further research is needed. The pathophysiology of RLS is not fully understood, but it appears to have a familial component and is associated with iron deficiency. Initial evaluation should include serum iron indices, and iron replacement is effective for those with known iron deficiency.
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