Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 10, 2025

Author Spotlight: Overcoming Challenges in Drosophila Sleep Measurement Using DAM System
Published on: October 20, 2023
Restless Legs Syndrome masquerades as chronic insomnia
Anastasios Bonakis1, Anastasia Androutsou2, Maria-Evangelia Koloutsou2
1Sleep Lab, First ICU Clinic Evangelismos Hospital, 10676, Athens, Greece; Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462, Athens, Greece.
Objective:
The objective of this study is to emphasize the importance of the clinical suspicion of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) among patients with chronic insomnia.
Methods:
We conducted a retrospective study referring to the period 2009-2018. All patients presenting with the complaint of insomnia and fulfilling the criteria of Chronic Insomnia (C.I.) were enrolled. In this group we estimated how many patients finally had the diagnosis of RLS. Demographic and clinical characteristics (sleep related problems, fatigue, daytime sleepiness and psychological profile) were recorded and analyzed between C.I. and RLS patients using logistic regression models.
Results:
A total of 532 patients presented with C.I. Among them 83 proved to have RLS. No differences in frequencies or odds were observed concerning the type of insomnia, daily fatigue, daytime sleepiness and depression. RLS is more frequent in women (p = 0.01) and in older patients (p = 0.05) who present with the picture of C.I. Anxiety levels are higher in the RLS group (p = 0.004).
Conclusion:
RLS and C.I. patients demonstrate a very similar profile which complicates the differential diagnosis. Physicians and especially psychiatrists who deal with insomnia must have increased clinical suspicion for RLS as RLS and insomnia have a totally different therapeutic approach.
More Related Videos
06:23A Chronic Sleep Fragmentation Model using Vibrating Orbital Rotor to Induce Cognitive Deficit and Anxiety-Like Behavior in Young Wild-Type Mice
Published on: September 22, 2020
04:53Author Spotlight: Traditional Chinese Medicine for Sleep Disorders in Acute COPD — A Safe, Cost-Effective Approach
Published on: October 18, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Restless Leg Syndrome and Night Terrors
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...
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
Insomnia
Multiple factors contribute...
Sleep-Wake Cycles
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Management of Insomnia
Narcolepsy