Introduction: The periodic limb movements disorder (PLMD) is frequently associated with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), but the prevalence and clinical relevance of this association have not been studied in detail.
Objective: The objectives were to make a prospective study on the prevalence of PLMD in patients with OSAS, and correlate this association with clinical and respiratory parameters.
Patients and methods: Forty-two patients diagnosed with OSAS, without clinical suspicion of PLMD, underwent a polysomnographic study. Clinical symptoms and signs were evaluated with an structured questionnaire, and respiratory parameters were obtained from the nocturnal study.
Results: Periodic limb movements were found in 10 patients (24%). There were no differences in clinical parameters between both groups (with and without periodical limb movements). However, respiratory parameters were significantly worse in patients without PLMD.
Conclusions: PLMD is very frequent in patients with OSAS, and can contribute to worsen clinical signs and symptoms in these patients independently from respiratory parameters.