[Geriatric inpatients with iron deficiency-associated Restless Legs Syndrome. A retrospective analysis]

The Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a clinically relevant condition in geriatric patients. An association between iron deficiency and RLS is largely acknowledged. The clinical and therapeutic management of iron deficiency-associated RLS has been, however, poorly evaluated in geriatric patients.

Data from all RLS inpatients admitted to a geriatric unit between 2009 and 2011 were retrospectively collected on demographics and clinical characteristics, iron status, drug treatment including iron substitution, as well as comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) scores.

RLS was diagnosed in 56 of the 4,063 admitted patients during the two years. Of the RLS cases, 20 (36%) showed iron deficiency. Thirteen of these were treated with iron substitution according to the existing guidelines. Both RLS patients with and without iron deficiency showed a significant clinical improvement between admission to discharge according to the CGA scores.

Iron substituted geriatric patients with iron deficiency-associated RLS substantially benefited from the treatment, similarly to RLS patients without iron deficiency. A multidimensional assessment, careful iron metabolism examination and adequate treatment choice should be equally importantly considered in geriatric patients with RLS.