Restless legs syndrome

Jones, Helen; Derodra, J. K.

doi:10.1016/s1078-5884(97)80119-0

Cited by 8 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Varicose veins are commonly stated to be responsible for a wide range of lower limb symptoms such as heaviness, swelling, aching, restless legs, cramps, itching, and tingling 1 – 5. The presence of one or more of these symptoms, together with clinical or ultrasound evidence of main stem saphenous reflux, is generally accepted as an indication for surgery.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What are the symptoms of varicose veins? Edinburgh vein study cross sectional population survey

Bradbury

Evans²,

Allan³

et al. 1999

BMJ

272

206

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Objective To define the relations between age, sex, lower limb symptoms, and the presence of trunk varicose veins on clinical examination. Design Cross sectional population study. Setting 12 general practices with catchment areas geographically and socioeconomically distributed throughout Edinburgh. Participants An age stratified random sample of 1566 people (699 men and 867 women) aged 18-64 selected from the computerised age-sex registers of participating practices. Main outcome measures Self administered questionnaire on the presence of lower limb symptoms and physical examination to determine the presence and severity of varicose veins. Results Women were significantly more likely than men to report lower limb symptoms such as heaviness or tension, swelling, aching, restless legs, cramps, and itching. The prevalence of symptoms tended to increase with age in both sexes. In men, only itching was significantly related to the presence and severity of trunk varices (linear test for trend, P = 0.011). In women there was a significant relation between trunk varices and the symptoms of heaviness or tension (P<0.001), aching (P<0.001), and itching (P<0.005). However, the level of agreement between the presence of symptoms and trunk varices was too low to be of clinical value, especially in men. Conclusions Even in the presence of trunk varices, most lower limb symptoms probably have a non-venous cause. Surgical extirpation of trunk varices is unlikely to ameliorate such symptoms in most patients.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What are the symptoms of varicose veins? Edinburgh vein study cross sectional population survey

Bradbury

Evans²,

Allan³

et al. 1999

BMJ

272

206

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…4,5 It is, however, more prevalent in older people and in them aects women about twice as often as men and also manifests more severe symptoms. 6,7 RLS is the fourth leading cause of insomnia and is diagnosed in 10% to 20% of patients suering from that condition. 8 RLS may be static, but typically has a chronic and progressive course.…”

Section: Frequency and Onsetmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another suggestion considers microcirculatory changes in the small super®cial veins as cause of the restless sensations by stimulation of aerent nerve ®bers. 6 RLS in patients with both saphenous and non-truncal varicose vein disease, responds frequently and rapidly to scleral therapy. 51 The various suggested etiologies reviewed above do not solve the problem of RLS but rather emphasize the need for more clinical and basic research to provide new insights into the pathophysiology of RLS.…”

Section: Possible Etiologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Glasauer

2001

Spinal Cord

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Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a well-de®ned symptom complex and is frequently associated with sleep disturbance and a recognized family history. It occurs either as idiopathic RLS or in association with many medical, neurological or vascular disorders. The neurological examination and routine investigations in idiopathic RLS are normal. Polysomnography supports the diagnosis of RLS by documenting the associated sleep disturbances and periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS). Although MRI studies disclose no intracerebral lesions, recent Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies point to some involvement of the basal and red nuclei and the cerebellum. No de®nitive etiology is known for this condition, but several pathophysiological mechanisms have been proposed. There is supportive evidence that RLS is a Central Nervous System (CNS) dysfunction, suggesting widespread involvement of the descending dopaminergic (DA) pathways, possibly originating in the diencephalon or upper brainstem. This is corroborated by the successful treatment of RLS with DA agents, sedatives, and neurotransmitters. However, RLS can also occur with spinal disorders and spinal cord lesions implying the existence of a spinal generator. The incidence of RLS in pregnancy is well known and its association with vascular disorders supports another mechanism in some patients. The primary treatment of RLS is largely symptomatic and quite eective with DA agents, DA agonists, opioids and other neurotransmitters. The treatment of RLS associated with various diseases is aimed at the correction of the underlying pathological or de®ciency states. Antidepressant medications frequently precipitate or worsen the condition of RLS. Spinal Cord (2001) 39, 125 ± 133

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“…Patients seek relief by resorting to overwhelming or swamping afferent sensory inputs that appear to provide "counterstimulation" to the unpleasant sensations of RLS. 7,8 Such measures include walking about, stomping the feet, rubbing, squeezing or stroking the legs, taking hot showers or baths, or applying ointment, hot packs, or wraps to the legs. 9 However, even though these actions quickly diminish unpleasant limb sensations, they do so at the expense of sleep.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%