Restless legs syndrome (RLS) (synonyms: restless leg; restless leg syndrome; restless legs syndrome; restless legs syndrome (RLS); restless leg syndrome; restless leg syndrome; periodic leg movement syndrome; restless leg syndrome; Wittmaack-Ekbom syndrome; Willis-Ekbom disease; ICD-10 G25. 8: Other extrapyramidal diseases and movement disorders described in more detail), it is a matter of insensations mostly in the legs, rarely also in the arms, and associated urge to move (motor restlessness). The complaints only occur at rest, i.e. mainly in the evening and at night. If the affected person moves, the symptoms are alleviated.
Restless legs syndrome belongs to the group of “sleep-related breathing disorders” and is one of the most common neurological diseases.
The disease can be primary (congenital, idiopathic (without an identifiable cause)) or secondary (acquired in the context of other diseases).
Furthermore, an “early-onset” RLS (onset before the age of 30 or 45) and a “late-onset” RLS (after the age of 45) are distinguished.The early-onset forms show a familial clustering. The course is usually milder at onset.
Sex ratio: males to females is 1: 2-3.
Frequency peaks: The disease has two age peaks. First, it occurs predominantly by middle age and second after reaching 60 years of age.Idiopathic RLS usually begins between the ages of 20-40 years.
The prevalence (disease incidence) is 5-10% (until middle age) and increases again by 10-20% after reaching the age of 60 (in Germany). The prevalence in children (8-11 years) or adolescents (12-17 years) is 2%.Approximately 2-3% of the population suffers from severe restless legs syndrome, which must be treated with medication.
Course and prognosis: In many cases, restless legs syndrome (RLS) is mild (in 80% of cases) and does not require treatment. In some cases, however, RLS leads to significant sleep impairment and is then accompanied by significant daytime sleepiness in up to 80% of cases. In severe cases, affected individuals avoid situations that require them to sit still for extended periods of time.
Comorbidities (concomitant diseases): Restless legs syndrome is often associated with low serum ferritin levels (as a sign of iron deficiency) and therefore occurs more frequently in pregnancy. Another association of RLS is with kidney disease.Other comorbidities include B12 and folic acid deficiency, rheumatoid arthritis, and arterial hypertension (high blood pressure), as well as neurologic diseases such as polyneuropathies (diseases of the peripheral nervous system affecting multiple nerves) was, Parkinson’s disease, cerebellar (“affecting the cerebellum“) disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), headache, and migraine.
