Restless legs syndrome and perceived olfactory and taste dysfunction: A community-based study

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Clinical Neurology
• Sensory Science

Background:

• Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a potential early indicator for Parkinson Disease (PD).
• Chemosensory dysfunction, including smell and taste impairment, also precedes PD diagnosis.
• The relationship between RLS and chemosensory deficits remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and perceived olfactory and taste dysfunction.
• To determine if RLS is a predictor of chemosensory impairment.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional analysis of 90,337 Chinese adults without neurodegenerative diseases.
• RLS diagnosis using revised criteria or Cambridge-Hopkins questionnaire.
• Assessment of perceived olfactory and taste dysfunction via questionnaire.
• Logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounders (age, sex, medical history).

Main Results:

• RLS showed a strong association with increased odds of olfactory and/or taste dysfunction (aOR = 5.92).
• This association remained significant when using the Cambridge-Hopkins questionnaire (aOR = 5.55).
• The link between RLS and sensory dysfunction persisted even after excluding participants with major chronic diseases.

Conclusions:

• Restless Legs Syndrome is associated with a higher prevalence of perceived olfactory and taste dysfunction.
• RLS may serve as an early marker for chemosensory deficits.