Restless legs syndrome and multiple sclerosis: a population based case−control study in Catania, Sicily. (12th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bruno, E.; Nicoletti, A.; Messina, S.; Lo Fermo, S.; Raciti, L.; Quattrocchi, G.; Dibilio, V.; Paradisi, V.; the SIMG General Practitioners; Maimone, D.; Patti, F.; Zappia, M.
• Is Part Of: European journal of neurology. Volume 22:Number 6(2015:Jun.)
• Page Start: 1018
• Page End: 1021
• Publication Date: 2014-03-12
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1111/ene.12409
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1351-5101

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="ene12409-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ene12409-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background and purpose</title> <p>A population‐based case−control study in the city of Catania, Sicily, was carried out to determine restless legs syndrome (RLS) prevalence and its association with multiple sclerosis (MS).</p> </sec> <sec id="ene12409-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Patients were randomly selected from a cohort of MS patients resident in the study area and a group of age and sex matched controls was enrolled from the general population. RLS was diagnosed according to the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group criteria.</p> </sec> <sec id="ene12409-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>In total, 152 MS patients and 431 controls were included in the study. A significantly higher prevalence of RLS amongst MS patients (14.5%) compared with controls (6.0%) was detected, corresponding to an almost threefold increased risk (odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.4–5.0) of developing RLS. Spinal cord lesions in MS patients were associated with a higher risk of RLS (odds ratio 3.7, 95% confidence interval 1.1–13.5).</p> </sec> <sec id="ene12409-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>RLS was strongly associated with MS, with a significantly higher risk in patients presenting spinal cord lesions.</p> </sec> </abstract>