This study showed RBDQ-KR is a valid and reliable questionnaire for RBD symptoms and severity in Korea. It serves as an effective tool to identify patients with RBD and to facilitate future clinical and research studies.

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Background and Purpose We investigated the frequency and clinical features of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods This study included 74 PD patients. RLS was diagnosed in face-to-face assessments of all of the subjects based on diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group revised in 2003. We analyzed the clinical features of PD patients with and without RLS and compared the data to idiopathic RLS. Results The frequency of RLS in the cohort was 21.6% ( n =16). Two (12.5%) of the patients with RLS were not treated with dopaminergic drugs, while 14 (24.1%) of the 58 patients without RLS received treatment with dopaminergic drugs. Anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL) were significantly worst in patients with RLS. PD patients with RLS had significantly worse sleep quality ( p =0.003) and worse scores on the cardiovascular subscale of the Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease for Autonomic Symptoms ( p =0.031) compared to those without RLS. In the group of PD patients with RLS, RLS preceding PD onset was related to a lower Hoehn and Yahr stage. Conclusions We found that the frequency of RLS in the present patients with PD was higher than that in our previous study of a general population of RLS subjects. Compared to the PD patients without RLS, the present PD patients with RLS suffered from worse sleep quality and QoL, depression, anxiety, and autonomic disturbances, especially those with cardiovascular problems.

Few studies have investigated the mechanisms responsible for the symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS). However, these studies were mainly performed during the asymptomatic period and therefore their findings might not apply to changes in sensory processing that occur during the symptomatic period. The objective of this study was to investigate the function of sensory nerve fibres in RLS patients using the current perception threshold (CPT) test during the daytime and in the presence of symptoms. Ninety‐three patients with RLS and 34 healthy controls were included in the study. RLS patients were further divided into two subgroups, those who were experiencing RLS symptoms during the CPT test (symptom+) and those without symptoms (symptom−). Demographic data, RLS rating scale score and visual analogue scale were collected. Of the 127 enrolled subjects, CPT values were significantly lower in RLS patients than in controls for all three frequencies. Among the control and RLS subgroups (53 symptom+, 40 symptom−), symptom+ patients showed lower CPT values than controls. This finding indicates a relative hyperaesthetic state in the sensory afferents of peripheral nerves in symptom+ patients. There were no significant differences between the symptom− group and controls. The significantly lower CPT values for all three frequencies in symptom+ patients suggest that central sensory processing disturbance of sensory nerve fibres’ input may be involved in the development of symptoms in RLS patients.

BackgroundRecently, several reports issued clevudine induced myopathy in the long term use.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate antiviral effects and adverse events of clevudine monotherapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).Patients and MethodsThe subjects were 110 treatment-naïve CHB patients. They were treated with 30 mg clevudine/day for more than six months. Virological and biochemical tests, including that for serum creatine kinase (CK), were monitored at baseline and at 3-month intervals during treatment period.ResultsIn HBeAg-positive patients, the cumulative rates of virological response were 74.0 %, 68.5 %, and 67.3 % after one, two, and three years of clevudine treatment, respectively. Cumulative rates of HBeAg loss or seroconversion were 17.8 %, 30 %, and 31.5 % after one, two and, three years of clevudine treatment, respectively. In HBeAg-negative patients, the cumulative rates of virological response were 97.3 %, 100 %, and 94.6 %, respectively. Virological breakthrough occurred in 27 patients. The rtM204I mutation in HBV polymerase was predominantly detected. Muscular adverse events were observed in 15 patients. All patients with myopathy recovered after the cessation of clevudine monotherapy. Fluctuations in CK level during the clevudine treatment period were frequently observed irrespective of development of myopathy. Multiple episodes of CK elevation were significantly related to the development of myopathy.ConclusionsLong-term clevudine monotherapy is effective for suppression of serum HBV DNA level and normalization of serum alanine amino transaminase levels, but associated with occurrence of rtM204I mutation. Clevudine-induced muscular adverse events are not uncommon, although they are totally reversible after cessation of the treatment. Muscular adverse events and serum CK level should be carefully monitored during long-term treatment with clevudine.