Can restless legs be a sign of something else? a case of spondyloarthritis presenting with restless legs syndrome

Abstract

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), is a chronic movement disorder, characterized by an urge or need to move the limbs, usually associated with uncomfortable sensations in the legs and sleep disorders. Two clinical forms of RLS are described in general: primary and secondary. Although primary RLS has a familial component, the underlying mechanism is still not fully understood but seems to be related to abnormalities in the dopaminergic pathways of the central nervous system. The secondary form of the syndrome is associated with iron deficiency, renal failure, pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and many rheumatologic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and Sjögren’s syndrome. In a few clinical trials, an increased frequency of RLS has been reported in patients with spondyloarthritis. In this report, it is presented a case of coexistence spondyloarthritis and RLS showing satisfactory improvement with conservative treatment additionally adding naproxen. Anemia of chronic disease occurring in rheumatic diseases and associated iron deficiency may contribute to the development of RLS.