Increased frequency of restless legs syndrome in myasthenia gravis.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with myasthenia gravis (MG).


METHODS
We interviewed 73 MG patients and 65 healthy controls by using a structured diagnostic questionnaire based on the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group diagnostic criteria. We also collected data about the course of MG therapy, the presence of other comorbidities, sleep complaints, and demographic characteristics. All of the MG patients underwent neurological assessment.


RESULTS
RLS was present in 43.2% of the MG patients and in 20% of the controls (p = 0.0029). We failed to identify a relationship between the prevalence of RLS and the duration and type of MG therapy, other comorbidities, age or sex of the patients. Patients with MG more frequently reported daytime sleepiness. For 9.4% of the RLS-positive MG patients, RLS symptoms represented the most disturbing health problem; for 46.9% of them, RLS was as problematic as other diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
RLS is common in MG patients. MG patients consider RLS symptoms as a troublesome health problem.
Department of Adults' Neurology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland. sieminski@gumed.edu.pl
Mariusz
M
Sieminski
Małgorzata
M
Bilińska
Walenty M
WM
Nyka
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires