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Updated: May 10, 2026
04:33
Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder
Published on: April 26, 2024
A study examining depression in restless legs syndrome.
Ravi Gupta1, Vivekananda Lahan, Deepak Goel
1Department of Psychiatry, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Swami Ram Nagar, Doiwala, Dehradun 248140, India. sleepdoc.ravi@gmail.com
Asian Journal of Psychiatry
|July 2, 2013
Summary
Depression affects over a third of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) patients, with nearly 42% experiencing it annually. This condition appears to be a co-morbid issue, not directly caused by RLS symptoms or sleep disturbances.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
- Sleep Medicine
Background:
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is associated with patient distress.
- Prevalence studies on depression in RLS are limited.
- This research investigates depression prevalence and contributing factors in RLS patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of depression among RLS patients.
- To explore potential factors underlying depression in RLS.
Main Methods:
- 112 RLS patients from a sleep clinic were assessed.
- Diagnosis of depression and insomnia used DSM-IV-TR criteria.
- Severity of RLS and insomnia measured using validated Hindi scales (IRLS, ISI).
Main Results:
- The one-year prevalence of depression in RLS patients was 41.8%.
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affected 33%, and dysthymia 8.8%.
- Depression onset preceded RLS in 37.8% and followed RLS in 51.4% of MDD patients; no correlation found between RLS and depression duration.
Conclusions:
- Clinical depression is prevalent in over one-third of RLS patients.
- Depression in RLS is likely a co-morbid condition.
- Depression is not directly consequential to RLS clinical picture or sleep disturbance.
Related Concept Videos
01:27Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a neurological disorder characterized by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs due to uncomfortable sensations. These sensations typically occur during periods of rest or inactivity, particularly when lying down or sitting, and can severely disrupt sleep.
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle movement. Imbalances in dopamine levels...
The exact cause of RLS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate muscle movement. Imbalances in dopamine levels...
01:15REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder (RBD) is a sleep disorder characterized by the absence of muscle paralysis that normally occurs during the REM phase of sleep. This absence allows individuals to physically act out their dreams, which are often vivid and disturbing. Common behaviors exhibited during episodes include kicking, punching, and yelling. These actions can be dangerous, potentially leading to injuries for the person with RBD or their bed partner.
RBD is significantly associated with...
RBD is significantly associated with...
01:05Long-term Depression
Long-term depression, or LTD, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTD is the process of synaptic weakening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic weakening of LTD works in opposition to synaptic strengthening by long-term potentiation (LTP) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.