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Restless legs syndrome in the elderly

S T O'Keeffe1, J Noel, J N Lavan

  • 1Department of Geriatric Medicine, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

Postgraduate Medical Journal
|September 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) affects 5% of elderly patients, often causing insomnia and leg discomfort. Iron deficiency is a common, treatable cause of RLS symptoms in this population.

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Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine

Background:

  • Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder.
  • It significantly impacts sleep quality and daily life, particularly in older adults.
  • The relationship between RLS, insomnia, and iron deficiency in the elderly requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and clinical significance of RLS in an acute-care geriatric medical setting.
  • To investigate the association between RLS, insomnia, and iron deficiency in elderly patients.
  • To assess the efficacy of iron repletion in managing RLS symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study was conducted on 307 patients admitted to an acute-care geriatric medical service.
  • Patients were assessed for RLS, insomnia, and leg symptoms.
  • Serum ferritin levels were measured to identify iron deficiency (defined as < 18 ng/ml).

Main Results:

  • RLS was diagnosed in 15 patients (5% prevalence).
  • Of those with RLS, 87% experienced insomnia and 67% reported troublesome leg symptoms.
  • Iron deficiency was significantly more prevalent in RLS patients (31%) compared to those without RLS (6%, P < 0.025).
  • Iron repletion led to improvement in RLS symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • RLS is a prevalent condition in elderly patients presenting to acute care, often associated with insomnia and significant discomfort.
  • Iron deficiency is a common and treatable comorbidity in elderly patients with RLS.
  • Screening for and treating iron deficiency may alleviate RLS symptoms and improve sleep in this demographic.

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