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INTRODUCTION: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a disorder characterised by an irresistible urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by unpleasant sensations. It is more frequent in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) than in the general population. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of RLS, defined according to the 4 essential requirements included in the diagnostic criteria proposed by the International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group, in a cohort of patients with MS; and to identify potential risk factors and the clinical impact of RLS. RESULTS: The sample included 120 patients with MS, with a mean age of symptom onset of 40 years and an average disease duration of 46 months. The prevalence rate of RLS was 23.3%. MS progression time was significantly shorter in patients with RLS (P=.001). A recent relapse, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and neuropathic pain were significantly associated with risk of RLS (P=.001, P<.001, P<.001, and P=.001, respectively). In addition, patients with RLS had a greater risk of poor sleep quality, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and poor quality of life than those without RLS (P=.002, P=.017, P=.013, and P=.009, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: RLS should be considered in the neurological evaluation of patients with MS; early diagnosis and treatment would improve the quality of life of patients with MS presenting RLS.

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Introducción: El síndrome de piernas inquietas (SPI) es un trastorno caracterizado por la necesidad imperiosa de mover las piernas, estando a menudo acompañado de sensaciones desagradables. Su frecuencia es superior en pacientes con esclerosis múltiple (EM) que en la población general. Objetivos: Evaluar la prevalencia del SPI, según el cumplimiento de los 4 requisitos esenciales incluidos en los criterios diagnósticos propuestos por la International Restless leg syndrome study group (IRLSSG, 2003), en una cohorte de pacientes con EM e identificar posibles factores de riesgo y repercusión clínica. Resultados: Se incluyeron 120 pacientes con EM, con una edad media de inicio de 40 años y un tiempo medio de evolución de 46 meses. La prevalencia de SPI, según el cumplimiento de criterios diagnósticos de la IRLSSG, fue del 23,3%. El tiempo de evolución de EM, desde la aparición de los primeros síntomas, fue significativamente menor en pacientes con SPI (p=0,001). La presencia de un brote reciente, así como de síntomas de ansiedad, depresión y dolor neuropático se asociaron de forma significativa con el riesgo de SPI (p=0,001, p<0,001, p<0,001 y p=0,001, respectivamente). Además, los pacientes con SPI y EM presentaron mayor riesgo de mala calidad de sueño, fatiga, somnolencia diurna y peor calidad de vida, que aquellos sin SPI (p=0,002, p=0,017, p=0,013 y p=0,009, respectivamente). Conclusiones: El SPI debe ser considerado en la evaluación neurológica de pacientes con EM, cuyo diagnóstico y tratamiento precoz mejoraría la calidad de vida de estos sujetos. (AU)

Introduction: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a disorder characterised by an irresistible urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by unpleasant sensations. It is more frequent in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) than in the general population. Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of RLS, defined according to the 4 essential requirements included in the diagnostic criteria proposed by the International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group, in a cohort of patients with MS; and to identify potential risk factors and the clinical impact of RLS. Results: The sample included 120 patients with MS, with a mean age of symptom onset of 40 years and an average disease duration of 46 months. The prevalence rate of RLS was 23.3%. MS progression time was significantly shorter in patients with RLS (P = 0.001). A recent relapse, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and neuropathic pain were significantly associated with risk of RLS (P = 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.001, respectively). In addition, patients with RLS had a greater risk of poor sleep quality, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and poor quality of life than those without RLS (P = 0.002, P = 0.017, P = 0.013, and P = 0.009, respectively). Conclusions: RLS should be considered in the neurological evaluation of patients with MS; early diagnosis and treatment would improve the quality of life of patients with MS presenting RLS.

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INTRODUCTION: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a disorder characterised by an irresistible urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by unpleasant sensations. It is more frequent in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) than in the general population. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of RLS, defined according to the 4 essential requirements included in the diagnostic criteria proposed by the International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group, in a cohort of patients with MS; and to identify potential risk factors and the clinical impact of RLS. RESULTS: The sample included 120 patients with MS, with a mean age of symptom onset of 40 years and an average disease duration of 46 months. The prevalence rate of RLS was 23.3%. MS progression time was significantly shorter in patients with RLS (P = 0.001). A recent relapse, and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and neuropathic pain were significantly associated with risk of RLS (P = 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P = 0.001, respectively). In addition, patients with RLS had a greater risk of poor sleep quality, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and poor quality of life than those without RLS (P = 0.002, P = 0.017, P = 0.013, and P = 0.009, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: RLS should be considered in the neurological evaluation of patients with MS; early diagnosis and treatment would improve the quality of life of patients with MS presenting RLS.