Restless legs syndrome: manifestations, treatment and dental implications.
BACKGROUND
The authors reviewed the clinical features, epidemiology, pathogenesis and risk factors, medical management, dental findings and dental management of patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS).


METHODS
The authors conducted a MEDLINE search for the years 2000 through 2004 using the key terms "restless legs syndrome," "epidemiology," "pathophysiology," "treatment" and "dentistry." They selected articles published in English in peer-reviewed journals for further review, and they gave preference to articles reporting randomized controlled trials.


CONCLUSIONS
RLS is a neurological disorder that is characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs that occur at rest, especially at bedtime. These symptoms cause an irresistible urge to get out of bed and move the legs to relieve the discomfort, thereby delaying sleep onset and resulting in fatigue and dysphoria the next day.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of dental disease may be extensive in patients with RLS because of diminished salivary flow resulting from the medications used to treat RLS. Patient education, saliva substitutes and anticaries agents are indicated. Special precautions must be taken when prescribing or administering sedative-hypnotic agents that are likely to have adverse reactions with the medications used to treat RLS.
Friedlander
Arthur H
AH
General Medical Education, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, CA 90073, USA. friedlander@med.va.gov
Mahler
Michael E
ME
Yagiela
John A
JA
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D017742:Dental Care for Chronically Ill; D015259:Dopamine Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014076:Tooth Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D015259:Dopamine Agents; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives