RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME OCCURING IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE

23rd November 2015 

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been reported to have a prevalence of 0% to 52% in Parkinson Disease. However, it is still debated whether RLS in Parkinson's Disease is a pre-motor feature, a motor complication, or an association by chance. This study evaluated RLS prevalence in Parkinson's Disease. RLS is a condition of the nervous system that causes an overwhelming and irresistible urge to move the legs. 

The prevalence of RLS in Parkinson's Disease becomes progressively more likely in Parkinson's Disease. It went from 4% of those with Parkinson's Disease at the outset, to 6% after 2 years, to 16% after 4 years. Insomnia was 15 times more likely to occur with RLS. Daytime sleepiness was 9 times more likely to occur with RLS. Older age was only slightly more likely to occur with RLS. More preserved dopaminergic pathways and cardiovascular disturbances were also more likely. 

In another clinical study RLS occurred in 15% of people with Parkinson's Disease after 3 years.

Reference : Sleep [2015] Nov 6 [Epub ahead of print] (M.Moccia, R.Erro, M.Picillo, G. Santangelo, E.Spina, R.Allocca, K.Longo, M.Amboni, R.Palladino, R.Assante, S.Pappatà, M. T.Pellecchia, P.Barone, C.Vitale)

Complete abstract : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26564123

Reference : Journal of Neurology [2015] Nov 14 [Epub ahead of print] (M.Elena, N.Anna, A.Monica, G.Matteo, A.Giorgia, C.Stefano)

Complete abstract : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26566909 

http://www.viartis.net/parkinsons.disease/news/151123.pdf