Restless Legs Syndrome is Increased in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome

Overview

Journal J Clin Sleep Med

Specialties Neurology
Psychiatry

Date 2020 Nov 24

PMID 33231164

Citations 1

Authors

Caroline Dodson

Kanika Bagai

Leonard B Weinstock

Emily Thompson

Luis E Okamoto

Amanda Peltier

Satish R Raj

Arthur S Walters

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Study Objectives: Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) are both characterized by sleep disturbance along with autoimmune/inflammatory features and autonomic dysfunction. However, to our knowledge, there has been no direct study looking at the prevalence of RLS in patients with POTS patients compared with healthy participants (controls).

Methods: Ninety-six physician-diagnosed patients with POTS (89 female and 7 male) and 130 controls (99 female and 31 male) were administered the Cambridge Hopkins questionnaire. Participants who were diagnosed with probable or definite RLS on the Cambridge Hopkins questionnaire were then contacted to determine the severity of RLS with the International Restless Legs Scale.

Results: More patients with POTS (15 of 96; 15.6%) than controls (6 of 130; 4.6%) were diagnosed with probable or definite RLS on the Cambridge Hopkins questionnaire (P = .0048). A sensitivity analysis with only female respondents yielded similar results. RLS severity was in the moderate range (12.23 ± 9.22).

Conclusions: There is a higher prevalence of RLS in patients with POTS patients compared with controls. This association may have to do with shared increased inflammatory/autoimmune load and autonomic dysfunction.

Citing Articles

Narrative Review of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome: Associated Conditions and Management Strategies.

Steinberg R, Dicken W, Cutchins A US Cardiol. 2024; 17:e13.

PMID: 39559520 PMC: 11571393. DOI: 10.15420/usc.2022.35.

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