Restless legs syndrome and multiple sclerosis: a population based case−control study in Catania, Sicily

Background and purpose A population-based case−control study in the city of Catania, Sicily, was carried out to determine restless legs syndrome (RLS) prevalence and its association with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods Patients were randomly selected from a cohort of MS patients resident in the study area and a group of age and sex matched controls was enrolled from the general population. RLS was diagnosed according to the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group criteria. Results In total, 152 MS patients and 431 controls were included in the study. A significantly higher prevalence of RLS amongst MS patients (14.5%) compared with controls (6.0%) was detected, corresponding to an almost threefold increased risk (odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.4–5.0) of developing RLS. Spinal cord lesions in MS patients were associated with a higher risk of RLS (odds ratio 3.7, 95% confidence interval 1.1–13.5). Conclusion RLS was strongly associated with MS, with a significantly higher risk in patients presenting spinal cord lesions.