Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in functional movement disorders: a case-control study from the Czech Republic

The prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in functional movement disorders (FMD) is not known. Patients with FMD often present with multiple motor and sensory symptoms. Some of these symptoms might be due to comorbid RLS. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate possible association between FMD and RLS.

Case-control study.

Movement Disorders Center, 1st Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic.

96 consecutive patients with clinically established FMD (80 females, mean age (SD) 45.0 (13) years), and 76 matched controls.

The primary outcome measure was prevalence of RLS based on updated International RLS Study Group criteria. Secondary outcome measures included prevalence of periodic limb movements (PLM) using actigraphy; pain, motor and sensory symptoms in lower limbs; organic comorbidities and medication affecting RLS.

RLS criteria were fulfilled in 43.8% of patients (95% CI 34 to 54) and in 7.9% of controls (95% CI 3 to 17, p<0.00001). Both RLS and PLM indices (PLMi) ≥22.5/hour were found in 21.2% of patients with FMD and 2.6% of controls. Patients with FMD with RLS had a higher mean PLMi (p<0.001) and a higher proportion of PLMi ≥22.5/hour (p<0.01) than RLS-negative patients. Patients with RLS had higher prevalence of pain and sensory symptoms in lower limbs, no difference was found in medication and prevalence of organic comorbidities in patients with FMD with and without RLS.

We found an increased prevalence of RLS in patients with FMD. Clinical diagnosis of RLS was supported by actigraphic measurement of clinically relevant PLM in a significant proportion of patients with FMD. Although functional motor and sensory symptoms may mimic RLS, RLS may be unrecognised in patients with FMD. This finding may have clinical implications in management of FMD, and it raises the possibility of common pathophysiological mechanisms of FMD and RLS/PLM.