Evolution of non-treated restless legs syndrome.
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.
Rodrigues
Raimundo Nonato Delgado
RN
Sleep Disorders Center, Hospital Universitário de Brasília, University of Brasília, Brasília, DF, Brazil. reno@unb.br
Rodrigues
Aída Alexandra Alvim de Abreu e Silva
AA
Faber
Jorge
J
Corso
Jeana T
JT
Peixoto
Thaisa F
TF