Chapter 82 – Restless Legs Syndrome

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the restless legs syndrome (RLS). Most patients with RLS complain about sleep disturbances associated with motor restlessness and therefore do not primarily seek help from a neurologist. The diagnosis of RLS should be considered when abnormal sensations of the legs occur at rest and are associated with motor restlessness and sleep disturbance but usually not with signs of local disease. RLS may be either a primary or a secondary disorder. The RLS is a clinical diagnosis and determined by the presence of the four Minimal Diagnostic Criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. The differential diagnosis of RLS includes polyneuropathy with paresthesia or "burning feet," muscle cramps, and vascular disorders—such as—venous stasis, erythromelalgia, and arterial occlusion. RLS occurs in both genders and in all age groups but may show a predominant affection of postmenopausal women.