Comparison of Sleep Quality and Polysomnographic Findings in Patients with RLS according to the Presence of Periodic Limb Movements during Sleep

Abstract

Address for correspondence Ki-Young Jung, MD Department of Neurology, Korea University College of Medicine, 126-1 Anam-dong 5-ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-705, Korea Tel: +82-2-920-6649 Fax: +82-2-925-2472 E-mail: jungky@korea.ac.kr Objectives: Although it has been reported that periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) is present up to 80% in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS), it is unclear that PLMS could influence on sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in patient with RLS. To investigate influence of PLMS on sleep quality and EDS, we analyzed sleep quality and EDS in patient with RLS. Methods: Fifty five RLS patients were included in this study. RLS was diagnosed according to International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group criteria. Patients were classified into two groups according to the presence of PLMS. Group I (n=32) consisted of RLS patients without PLMS. Group II (n=23) consisted of RLS patients with PLMS. The severity of RLS symptom was assessed using International RLS Study Group Rating Scale (IRLS). Subjective sleep quality was assessed by Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Serum ferritin level and polysomnographic parameters were also compared between both groups. Results: Mean age was significantly higher in RLS patients with PLMS (p<0.05). IRLS, PSQI, ESS and AIS were not significantly different between groups. Among sleep parameters on polysomnography only PLM related variables were significantly higher in RLS patients with PLMS. Conclusions: Our study suggests that presence of PLMS in patient with RLS has no significant negative effect on sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness. J Korean Sleep Res Soc 2011;8:4-8