title: Frequent difficulties in the treatment of restless legs syndrome - case report and literature review.
abstract: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is one of the most common sleep disorders. The purpose of this paper is a case description of the patient suffering from RLS, concurrent with numerous clinical problems. In our patient, during long-term therapy with a dopamine agonist (ropinirole), the phenomenon of the augmentation, defined as an increase in the severity of the RLS symptoms, was observed. The quality of life of the patient was significantly deteriorated. Due to the augmentation of RLS symptoms the dopaminergic drug was gradually withdrawn, and the gabapentin as a second-line drug for the treatment of RLS was introduced. Because of the large increase of both insomnia and RLS symptoms during the reduction of ropinirole dose, clonazepam was temporarily introduced. In addition, in the neurological assessment of the distal parts of the lower limb sensory disturbances of vibration were found. The neurographic study confirmed axonal neuropathy of the sural nerves, which explained an incomplete response to dopaminergic medications. However, gabapentin treatment in the dose recommended in neuropathies was impossible due to bothersome side effects. Another important issue in the treatment of the patient were depressive symptoms and the fact that the majority of used antidepressants (mirtazapine, mianserin, tricyclic antidepressants) increase the severity of RLS. Among antidepressants recommended for the treatment of depression in patients with RLS (such as bupropion, moclobemide, reboxetine, tianeptine and agomelatine) only agomelatine exhibits promoting sleep properties. Because of the concomitant insomnia, this drug was applied in our patient.
authors.affiliation: III Klinika Psychiatryczna IPiN w Warszawie.
authors.forename: Dominika
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Narowska
authors.affiliation: I Klinika Psychiatryczna IPiN w Warszawie.
authors.forename: Milena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bożek
authors.affiliation: Zakład Neurofizjologii Klinicznej IPiN w Warszawie.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krysiak
authors.affiliation: Zakład Neurofizjologii Klinicznej IPiN w Warszawie.
authors.forename: Jakub
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Antczak
authors.affiliation: III Klinika Psychiatryczna IPiN w Warszawie.
authors.forename: Justyna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Holka-Pokorska
authors.affiliation: Zakład Neurofizjologii Klinicznej IPiN w Warszawie.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jernajczyk
authors.affiliation: III Klinika Psychiatryczna IPiN w Warszawie.
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wichniak
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012148:Restless Legs Syndrome / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D018491:Dopamine Agonists
keywords: augmentation; depression; restless leg syndrome