Restless legs syndrome
Summary
Definition
History and exam
Key diagnostic factors
- presence of risk factors
- dysaesthesias
- evening symptoms
- relieving factors (movement, stretching, massage)
- location in lower extremities, less commonly upper extremities and torso
Other diagnostic factors
- alcohol use
- caffeine use
Risk factors
- conditions associated with iron deficiency
- pregnancy
- family history of RLS
- use of antidepressants, antihistamines, and metoclopramide
- increased age
- female sex
- smoking
- obesity
- diabetes mellitus
Diagnostic investigations
1st investigations to order
- clinical diagnosis
Investigations to consider
- serum ferritin
Treatment algorithm
primary RLS
secondary RLS
Contributors
Authors
Nitun Verma, MD, MBA
Sleep Physician
AC Wellness
Cupertino
CA
Disclosures
NV declares that he has no competing interests.
Clete A. Kushida, MD, PhD, RPSGT
Acting Medical Director
Stanford Sleep Medicine Center
Director
Stanford Center for Human Sleep Research
Associate Professor
Stanford University Medical Center
Stanford Sleep Medicine Center
Redwood City
CA
Disclosures
CAK has received research grant support from XenoPort, the manufacturer of gabapentin enacarbil, and is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.
Peer reviewers
Magdolna Hornyak, MD
Associate Professor
Interdisciplinary Pain Center and Department for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
University Medical Center Freiburg
Freiburg
Germany
Disclosures
MH declares that she has no competing interests.
Teofilo Lee-Chiong, MD
Professor of Medicine
Head of Division of Sleep Medicine
Department of Medicine
National Jewish Health
Denver
CO
Disclosures
TLC declares that he has no competing interests.
Differentials
- Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)
- Akathisia
- Peripheral neuropathy
More DifferentialsGuidelines
- Evidence-based and consensus clinical practice guidelines for the iron treatment of restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease in adults and children
- Treatment of restless legs syndrome in adults
More Guidelines
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