Increased frequency of restless legs syndrome in atopic dermatitis

Abstract

Background. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized by an unpleasantsensation in the legs, which is difficult to describe, but produces an urge to move thelegs frequently.Aim. To assess the prevalence and severity of RLS in patients with atopic dermatitis(AD) and patients with psoriasis, and to investigate the factors potentially associatedwith RLS.Methods. In total, 253 people were enrolled (120 with AD, 50 with psoriasis and 83healthy controls). A diagnosis of RLS was made according to the criteria of theInternational RLS Study Group (IRLSSG), and severity was assessed using the IRLSSGseverity scale.Results. RLS was significantly more common in patients with AD (40.8%) than inpatients with psoriasis (18.0%) or in controls (10.8%) (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001,respectively). Prevalence of RLS was higher in patients with active AD than in thosewith inactive AD (55.3% vs. 23.6%) or controls. There was a significant difference inRLS prevalence between patients with active and those with iactive AD, betweenpatients with active AD and healthy controls, between patients with active AD andpatients with psoriasis, and between patients with inactive AD and healthy controls(P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.04, respectively). There was no significantdifference in RLS prevalence between patients with active AD and patients withpsoriasis, or between patients with psoriasis and healthy controls (P > 0.05). Ofpatients who were positive for RLS, 56.9% had a family history of atopy and 40.3%had a family history of RLS, and there was a significant relationship between thepresence of RLS and family history of atopy or RLS (P < 0.001 for both).Conclusions. RLS is common in patients with AD, particularly in those with activedisease.