title: Evolution of non-treated restless legs syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary concern of this study is to evaluate the clinical course of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in a group of patients who refused treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study compares the outcome of a group of RLS patients after one year without any specific treatment. The International Restless Legs Syndrome Scale (IRLS) was applied at baseline (irls_1) and after one year (irls_2). The patients answered a simple questionnaire for the evaluation of possible environmental or life habit changes after one-year evolution. Serum ferritin was determined at baseline. An improvement index (%improvement) was established through the formula: irls_1- irls_2/irls_1 x 100. Results were compared and a correlation analysis performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A negative significant correlation was found between the patients' age and irls_2 (r= -0.9 p=0.0018) and between %improvement and irls_2 (r= -0.88 p=0.0039). A positive and significant correlation was determined between %improvement and age. There was only a marginally significant correlation between serum ferritin and ilrs_2 (r= -0.7 p=0.052). No significant changes were found in the other elements analyzed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A favorable outcome was found in this group of RLS patients after one year evolution without treatment. The outcome was positively influenced by the patients' age.
authors.affiliation: Sleep Disorders Center, Hospital Universitário de Brasília, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil. reno@unb.br
authors.forename: Raimundo Nonato Delgado
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Aída Alexandra Alvim de Abreu e Silva
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: Jeana T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Corso
authors.forename: Thaisa F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Peixoto