[Restless legs].
BACKGROUND
Restless legs syndrome is a common and not fully appreciated disorder. Improved treatment options require knowledge about the condition.


METHODS
The article is based on a literature search on Medline, PubMed and Scirus for the years 1988-2003 with the keyword "restless legs".


CONCLUSIONS
Restless legs syndrome is a chronic condition defined as an irresistible desire to move one's limbs, usually associated with paraesthesia/dysaesthesia and motor restlessness. The symptoms start or worsen at rest and improve with activity. The prevalence is between 5% and 15%. 80% of patients suffer from periodic limb movements in sleep. A current hypothesis is that the condition results from a deficiency of iron that lead to the underlying dopaminergic abnormalities. Therapeutically, studies have confirmed the effect of levodopa and dopamine agonists; dopamine agonists seem to imply less risk of side effects.
Kinge
Einar
E
Sandvika Nevrologpraksis, 1338 Sandvika. einar.kinge.sandneur@as.online.no
Lossius
Morten Ingvar
MI
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
D015259:Dopamine Agents; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D007980:Levodopa