Estrogen replacement therapy and nocturnal periodic limb movements: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of estrogen replacement therapy on nocturnal periodic limb movements in a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled, crossover trial.


METHODS
Seventy-one healthy postmenopausal women volunteered in answer to a newspaper announcement; 62 women completed the follow-up. Frequency of nocturnal body movements was measured with the static-charge-sensitive bed and all-night polysomnographic recordings. Serum estradiol (E2) and FSH concentrations were also measured at baseline and after each treatment period. The power of the study setup was 94%.


RESULTS
Nearly half the women presented with episodes of periodic limb movements (30 of 62 women, or 48%, during placebo and 27, or 44%, during estrogen therapy). In 17 (27%) during placebo and 19 (31%) during estrogen therapy, frequency of periodic limb movements exceeded index level 5 per hour while subjects were in bed. Incidence or intensity of movements, movement durations, and movement intervals did not change with estrogen therapy. The arousal index was similar during the two treatments (medians = 1.7 for placebo and 1.3 for estrogen, P =.758). Variations in serum E2 concentration, age, and body mass index did not explain variations in movement activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Estrogen replacement therapy in doses used to control climacteric symptoms does not alter the incidence or intensity of nocturnal periodic limb movements.
Polo-Kantola
P
P
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland. paivi.polo-kantola@tyks.fi
Rauhala
E
E
Erkkola
R
R
Irjala
K
K
Polo
O
O
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D001132:Arm; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D020820:Dyskinesias / Q000209:etiology*; D004958:Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*
D004958:Estradiol