[Doctor, I have pain and pins and needles in my legs at night]

Rev Med Suisse. 2013 Nov 27;9(408):2212-7.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a frequent chronic condition. It causes discomfort in the lower limbs with an urge to move the legs and sometimes paresthesias. It's frequently associated with sleep and mood disorders causing a significant impact on quality of life. There are four clinical criteria to diagnose it. Treatment includes management of reversible factors and if needed symptomatic treatment. Depending on symptoms severity, non-drug measures can be tried. First-line medication treatment should be dopaminergic agonists. Second-line treatments include, anticonvulsivants (gabapentine), benzodiazepine (clonazepam) or opioids based on predominant symptoms. Difficult cases should be referred to a specialist.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Mood Disorders / etiology
  • Paresthesia / etiology
  • Quality of Life*
  • Referral and Consultation
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / therapy*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / etiology