title: Demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with restless legs syndrome in spine clinic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common disorder affecting up to 5% to 15% of the general population, in which the incidence increases with age, and includes paresthesia in the legs. The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence of RLS in spine center and to review clinical manifestations of this syndrome and its current treatments.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a period of a year, retrospective medical record review and lumbar magnetic resonance images were performed on 32 patients with RLS in spine clinic who were diagnosed by National Institutes of Health criteria. Affected limbs were classified as five. Two grading systems were used in the evaluation of neural compromises.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of RLS was 5.00% (32/639). There were 16 males (50%) and 16 females (50%). The median age at diagnosis was 55.4 years (range, 25-93 years). There are no correlation between the affected limbs of RLS and neural compromises on the lumbar spine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The RLS is a clearly common neurologic disorder of the limbs, usually the legs. The awareness of this syndrome can help reduce diagnostic error; thereby, avoiding the morbidity and expense associated with unnecessary studies or inappropriate treatments in RLS patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jin Seo
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Jun
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Suk Hyung
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, College of Medicine, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyuk Jai
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Choi
keywords: Insomnia; Lumbar disc herniation; Pramipexole; Pregabalin; Restless legs syndrome; Spinal stenosis