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Published on: February 19, 2020
Restless legs syndrome in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Yusuf A Rajabally1, Rahul S Shah
1Department of Neurology, Neuromuscular Clinic, University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK. yusuf.rajabally@uhl-tr.nhs.uk
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) affects nearly 40% of patients with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP), a significantly higher rate than in the general population. Screening for RLS in CIDP patients is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a neurological disorder characterized by an irresistible urge to move the legs.
- Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is an autoimmune disorder affecting peripheral nerves.
- The co-occurrence and prevalence of RLS in CIDP patients remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) in patients diagnosed with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP).
- To compare RLS prevalence in CIDP patients against age- and gender-matched controls.
- To identify potential correlations between RLS and clinical/electrophysiological parameters in CIDP.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 28 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of CIDP.
- Face-to-face interviews utilizing validated criteria for RLS diagnosis.
- Comparison with 28 age- and gender-matched control participants.
- Assessment of correlations with lower limb weakness, functional disability, and Compound Muscle Action Potential (CMAP).
Main Results:
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) was diagnosed in 11 out of 28 (39.3%) CIDP patients.
- Only 2 out of 28 (7.1%) control participants were diagnosed with RLS (P < 0.01).
- Significant correlations were observed between RLS presence and lower limb weakness, functional disability, and reduced CMAP.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is significantly higher in patients with Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) compared to controls.
- Screening for RLS is advisable in CIDP patients, especially those exhibiting lower limb weakness, disability, and motor axonal loss.
- Findings suggest a potential role for peripheral mechanisms in the pathophysiology of RLS within the context of CIDP.
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