title: CPAP treats muscle cramps in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.
abstract: We describe a case series of 4 patients with varying degrees of obstructive sleep apnea who incidentally had a history of nocturnal leg cramps. None of the patients had periodic limb movements during the study and denied symptoms consistent with restless legs syndrome. In 3 of the 4 patients, nocturnal leg cramps resolved with CPAP treatment for OSA, while the fourth patient noted near-resolution of cramping after starting CPAP. In patients presenting with muscle cramps, obstructive sleep apnea should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY.
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Westwood
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Duke University, Durham, NC.
authors.forename: Andrew R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Spector
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine; Boston, MA.
authors.forename: Sanford H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Auerbach
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D020922:Sleep-Wake Transition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: CPAP; leg cramps; spasms