Sleep-related movement disorders
90 important questions on Sleep-related movement disorders
What is the general approach to treating Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)/Willis-Ekbom disease (WED)?
- Assessing cause, severity, and course
- Addressing iron deficiency with oral/intravenous iron
- Using dopamine agonists and a28 ligands
- Consideration for daytime discomfort and sleep quality
- Diagnosis of other movement disorders
What are the key features of comorbidities related to sleep-related movement disorders (SRMDs)?
- Often coexists with psychiatric and neurological disorders
- Observational studies show higher prevalence in affected patients
- Low evidence for causal relationships
- Influences therapeutic strategy and differential diagnosis
How should iron deficiency be addressed in individuals with RLS/WED?
- Oral iron supplementation
- Intravenous iron administration
- Monitoring systemic iron parameters
- Following recommendations from the International RLS Study Group
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What are sleep-related movement disorders (SRMD) characterized by?
- Typically simple, stereotypical, involuntary movements.
- Disturbances such as insomnia and daytime symptoms.
- Can be primary or secondary to other conditions.
- Significant clinical relevance and prevalence in the general population.
What disorders are frequently associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS)?
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
- Narcolepsy
- Parkinson's disease (PD)
- Various psychiatric disorders
- Drug-related issues like SSRIs and SNRIs
What are the common conservative treatments for RLS/WED?
- Good sleep hygiene
- Behavioral strategies (e.g., puzzles, physical activity)
- Avoiding caffeine, nicotine, alcohol
- Tactile and temperature stimulation (massage, hot baths)
How can sleep-related movement disorders be classified?
- Clinical features (simple vs. complex)
- Clinical relevance (physiological vs. pathological)
- Sleep stages (stage dependent, prevalent, or unrelated)
- Aetiology (primary vs. secondary)
What role do comorbidities play in diagnosing and treating sleep-related movement disorders?
- Differential diagnosis process
- Identification of therapeutic approaches
- Understanding epidemiological burden
- Assessing overall patient outcomes
What is the risk associated with long-term use of dopamine agonists in treating RLS/WED?
- Dopaminergic augmentation
- Increased severity of RLS/WED symptoms
- Patients may experience worsening of their condition
What is Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and its characteristics?
- Irresistible urge to move the legs.
- Symptoms begin or worsen during inactivity.
- Relief of symptoms through movement.
- Often leads to insomnia and daytime fatigue.
How does obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) relate to restless legs syndrome (RLS)?
- Higher RLS prevalence (8.3% in OSA vs 2.3% in controls)
- Reduced RLS severity after CPAP treatment
- Possible influence on treatment compliance
- Role of hypoxia in RLS pathogenesis
Under what conditions should iron replacement therapy be considered for RLS/WED?
- Serum ferritin < 100 mcg/ml
- Transferrin saturation < 45%
- Patients with higher ferritin may also benefit
- Monitor additional iron parameters
What epidemiological trends are observed in Restless Legs Syndrome?
- Highest in European populations (5%-12%).
- Intermediate in Asian countries (1%-8%).
- Lowest in African countries.
- Increases with age and is more common in women.
What is the significance of periodic limb movements (PLMs) in the general population?
- Occurs in 80% of RLS patients
- 28% of a population studied showed a high PLMI
- Presence in individuals without RLS indicates clinical ambiguity
- Still needing clarification in pathogenetic involvement
What considerations are important when choosing between oral and intravenous iron therapy for RLS/WED?
- Contraindications for oral iron
- Intestinal absorption issues
- Previous treatment failures with oral iron
- Need for rapid response and serum ferritin levels
What findings indicate the relationship between narcolepsy and periodic limb movements (PLMs)?
- 50%-70% of narcoleptic patients exhibit a high PLMI
- Unique leg movement patterns distinguish it from RLS
- Studies show a strong association with abnormal dopaminergic function
- Less periodic limb activity compared to RLS
What are common drugs that may exacerbate symptoms of RLS/WED?
- D2 antagonists (e.g., metoclopramide)
- Traditional antipsychotics
- Atypical neuroleptics (e.g., olanzapine)
- Certain antidepressants and sedating antihistamines
How are sleep-related movement disorders relevant in clinical practice?
- Can lead to significant sleep disturbances.
- Result in symptoms such as insomnia and daytime fatigue.
- Frequently co-occur with other sleep disorders.
How does rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD) associate with restless legs syndrome (RLS)?
- Higher RLS prevalence noted in RBD patients
- Independence of RBD risk factors like depression and medication usage
- Difficulty in assessing causality due to confounding neurodegenerative factors
- RLS may serve as a significant risk for developing RBD
What is the efficacy of placebo treatments in RLS/WED?
- Over one-third of patients
- Response linked to dopamine and opioid systems
- This improvement indicates psychological factors may influence symptom relief
What are the main characteristics of sleep-related movement disorders (SRMD)?
- Simple, typically stereotyped, involuntary movements
- Associated with disturbances (e.g., insomnia)
- Can involve different body parts
- Primary or secondary to conditions
What are the main disorders associated with sleep-related movement disorders (SRMDs)?
- Medical disorders
- Neurological disorders
- Psychiatric disorders
- Sleep disorders
- Drug-related conditions
- Emphasis on RLS and PLMs
What are the main treatment options for restless legs syndrome (RLS)/Willis-Ekbom disease (WED)?
- Moderate to severe cases require pharmacological treatment.
- Iron deficiency should be addressed with oral or intravenous iron.
- Dopamine agonists are preferred therapeutic agents.
- Address daily dysfunctions related to RLS/WED.
How do sleep-related movement disorders impact sleep and daily life?
- Significant sleep disturbances (e.g., sleep fragmentation)
- Symptoms during the day (e.g., fatigue, sleepiness)
- Clinical relevance for specialists
How do comorbidities impact the treatment of sleep-related movement disorders?
- Influence treatment outcomes
- Affect therapeutic approaches
- Complicate differential diagnosis
- Require considerations in prevention strategies
What are the necessary evaluations before initiating iron replacement therapy for RLS/WED?
- Complete blood test to check systemic iron parameters.
- Assess ferritin levels, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
- Monitor serotonin saturation and transferrin levels.
What classification criteria are used for sleep-related movement disorders?
- Clinical features (simple vs. complex)
- Clinical relevance (physiological vs. pathological)
- Sleep stages (stage-dependent or independent)
- Aetiology (primary vs. secondary)
What is the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in the general population?
- 3% to 10% of the general population
- Higher prevalence in females
- Chronic course often seen
When should iron replacement therapy be considered for RLS/WED patients?
- When serum ferritin is less than 100 mcg/ml.
- If transferrin saturation falls below 45%.
- Even if ferritin > 100 mcg/ml, brain iron deficiency might benefit from therapy.
Describe the characteristics of restless legs syndrome (RLS).
- An irresistible urge to move the legs
- Unpleasant sensations, sometimes painful
- Symptoms worsen during inactivity
- Relieved by movement and occurs mainly at night
How prevalent are periodic limb movements (PLMs) in patients with RLS?
- Can occur in the general population too
- Do not always imply RLS association
What are the potential complications of long-term use of dopamine agonists in RLS treatment?
- Risk of dopaminergic augmentation, leading to increased symptom severity.
- Need for careful monitoring and possible adjustments to treatment plans.
What are the epidemiological features of restless legs syndrome?
- Highest prevalence in Europeans (5%-12%)
- Lower prevalence in Africans (1%-8%)
- Increases with age (2% in children to 30% in elderly)
- More common in women, influenced by parity
What are the main challenges in establishing causality between SRMDs and comorbidities?
- Limited longitudinal studies
- Difficulty in deciphering causation
- Complexity in the relationship between conditions
What conservative treatments are commonly adopted for mild RLS/WED symptoms?
- Good sleep hygiene practices.
- Behavioural strategies for increased alertness.
- Avoiding caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
- Employing tactile or temperature stimulation.
What defines periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)?
- Periodic limb movements during sleep
- Clinical history of sleep disturbance
- Polysomnography showing >5/hr in children, >15/hr in adults
What key role do respiratory-related leg movements (RRLMs) play in OSA and PLMs?
- Occur at the end of breathing events
- Are distinct from PLMs
- Suggest a predisposition to both PLMs and RRLMs
- Influence the classification of leg movements
What role do vitamins play in the treatment of RLS/WED?
- Supplementation if low levels of vitamins E, C, and D are present.
- Lack of substantial evidence regarding effectiveness for improving RLS/WED symptoms.
- Clarity on routine testing for vitamin levels is uncertain.
What are the potential causes of secondary restless legs syndrome?
- Iron deficiency
- Pregnancy
- Renal failure (uraemia)
- Potential role of similar pathways in primary RLS
What has research indicated about the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and RLS?
- Higher prevalence of RLS in OSA patients: 8.3% vs. 2.3% in controls
- OSA is an independent risk factor for RLS
- CPAP treatment can reduce RLS severity
Describe the general recommended starting point for treating PLMS associated with RLS.
- Treating periodic leg movements of sleep (PLMS) when linked to sleep disturbances.
- Addressing insomnia or daytime symptoms like fatigue to improve quality of life.
What defines restless legs syndrome (RLS) and its effects on sleep?
- Rest-induced, movement-responsive urge to move legs
- Mostly nocturnal symptoms
- Disruption of sleep homeostasis leading to shortened sleep time (4.0-5.5 hrs)
- Repetitive periodic leg movements (PLMS) in 88% of patients
What types of patients are likely to have PLMs related to narcolepsy (NC)?
- 50%-70% of cases
- Individuals positive for HLA DQB1*0602
What are the main non-pharmacological strategies for RLS treatment?
- Engaging in exercise programs.
- Good sleep hygiene practices.
- Avoiding stimulants and improving sleep environments.
What neurophysiological findings are associated with periods of leg movements during RLS?
- Resemblance to spinal cord flexor reflex
- Lower flexor reflex threshold indicating spinal cord hyperexcitability
- Episodes not associated with circadian pattern
- Reflects spinal hyperexcitability due to altered mechanisms
How does the prevalence of RLS differ between narcolepsy and general populations?
- 14.7% in narcolepsy patients
- 3.0% in controls
What factors influence the choice between oral and intravenous iron for RLS therapy?
- Presence of intestinal malabsorption issues.
- Previous treatment failures or intolerances to oral iron.
- The need for a rapid response to treatment.
How is the heritability of restless legs syndrome (RLS) understood?
- Heritability estimated at 50%-60%
- Complex multifactorial nature including both genetic and non-genetic factors
- Identified six risk loci, affecting susceptibility
- Associations linked to regulatory regions rather than coding regions
What findings relate to the comorbidity of RLS and rapid eye movement behavior disorder (RBD)?
- Documented association especially in neurodegenerative contexts
- Uncertain if RBD is a significant risk factor for RLS
- Independent risk factors noted in studies
Which psychiatric disorders are associated with sleep-related movement disorders?
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Schizophrenia
- ADHD
What role does brain iron homeostasis have in RLS pathophysiology?
- High prevalence in iron-deficient anemia patients (30%)
- Patients exhibit reduced CSF ferritin and elevated CSF transferrin
- Consistent brain regions affected include substantia nigra and thalamus
- Impaired iron transport to the brain noted through elevated transferrin receptor
What dopaminergic abnormalities are identified in RLS patients?
- Reduced f-DOPA uptake
- Increased tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) staining
- Decreased dopamine transporter levels
- Increased CSF biopterin levels
- Indications of presynaptic hyperdopaminergic state
What role do longitudinal studies play in understanding SRMD causality?
- Establishing clear causation
- Identifying relationships over time
- Providing evidence for treatment effects
What are the characteristics and clinical features of sleep-related movement disorders?
- Abnormal motor manifestations during sleep and waking.
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is marked by:
- An urge to move legs at rest.
- - Symptoms worsen during inactivity.
- - Alleviation occurs with movement.
- Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD).
- - Rhythmic movement disorder.
- - Bruxism.
What are the established comorbidities frequently associated with sleep-related movement disorders (SRMDs)?
- Sleep Disorders - OSA, narcolepsy, insomnia
- Neurological Disorders - Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis
- Medical Disorders - Renal failure, diabetes
- Psychiatric Disorders - Anxiety, depression
What is the definition of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)?
- Rest-induced
- Movement-responsive
- Nocturnal urge
- Counter to sleep drive
- PLMS occurrence in 88% of patients
How is restless legs syndrome (RLS) diagnosed?
1. Clinical history showing:
- Urge to move legs with uncomfortable sensations.
- - Symptoms worsen during rest, alleviated by movement.
- - Occurs mainly in the evening/night.
3. Symptoms cause functional impairment.
How does Restless Legs Syndrome disrupt sleep?
- Moderate-to-severe RLS
- Lack of daytime sleepiness
- Enhanced arousal state
- Impairment of neural mechanisms
- Sensory motor function regulation
What is the prevalence and gender difference in restless legs syndrome?
- 2%-5% of adults in Europe, Canada, and the USA.
- Lower prevalence in Asia.
- More common in women than men.
- Severity is greater in females with a history of RLS.
What neurophysiological characteristic is observed in RLS during sleep?
- Dorsiflexion of ankle
- Flexion of knee and hip
- PLMS resemblance
- Cortical micro-arousals
- Altered supraspinal-mediated mechanisms
What factors contribute to the severity of restless legs syndrome?
- Age—prevalence increases with age.
- Family history—40%-60% of patients have relatives with RLS.
- Symptoms can vary from mild to severe forms.
- Chronic conditions like iron deficiency may exacerbate symptoms.
Which brain structures show low iron levels in RLS?
- Substantia nigra
- Thalamus
- Iron management protein alterations
- Choroid plexus
- Brain microvasculature
What are the common sensory symptoms reported by patients with restless legs syndrome?
- Tingling.
- Burning.
- Tension.
- Electrical feeling.
- Unpleasant sensations felt deep in legs.
- Painful sensations reported by 55%-85% of patients.
What genetic factors are associated with Restless Legs Syndrome?
- Multifactorial disorder
- Genetic and non-genetic factors
- Risk loci (MEIS1, BTBD9, etc.)
- Simple nucleotide polymorphisms
- Regulatory regions
What lifestyle factors are associated with restless legs syndrome?
- Excessive alcohol intake.
- Smoking.
- Physical inactivity.
- Symptoms often occur during rest, impacting activities like reading or watching TV.
How does altered brain iron homeostasis relate to RLS?
- Prevalence in iron-deficient anemia
- Reduced CSF ferritin
- Elevated CSF transferrin levels
- Normal serum levels
- Impaired iron transport
How does restless legs syndrome impact sleep and quality of life?
- Disturbed sleep—problems with sleep initiation and maintenance.
- Sleep inefficiency and reduced total sleep time.
- Increased fatigue and lower quality of life (QoL).
- Higher risk of depression and anxiety.
What role does dopamine play in Restless Legs Syndrome?
- Therapeutic benefit of dopaminergic agents
- Increased synthesis and release of dopamine
- Implicated in PLMS
- Changes in D2 receptor density
- Role in spinal pathways
What are the classifications of restless legs syndrome?
- Chronic-persistent: symptoms occur more than twice weekly.
- Intermittent: symptoms occur less than twice weekly.
- Two forms: primary (sporadic/familial) and secondary (iron deficiency-related).
How has animal research contributed to understanding RLS?
- Increased locomotor activity
- Circadian sleep architecture
- Neurochemical alterations
- Dopaminergic system effects
- Alterations related to iron levels
What physical examination findings are normal in restless legs syndrome patients?
- Normal coloration and temperature of the legs.
- Absence of tendinous reflex abnormalities.
- Normal muscle strength and sensitivity.
- Caution needed for symptoms suggesting other neurological conditions.
What can be observed in patients with RLS in terms of electroencephalography?
- Sleep onset period
- Arousal "drive" enhancement
- Abnormalities in sensory-motor integration
- Correlations with wake times
- Changes in regional brain activity
What are some associated conditions and potential complications of restless legs syndrome?
- Higher likelihood of sleep disruption and insomnia.
- Increased risk of depression and anxiety.
- Possible links to cardiovascular risks, like coronary artery disease.
- Association with ADHD in various age groups.
What is the genetic heritability estimate for RLS?
- Complexity of the disorder
- Role of environmental factors
- Risk loci identification
- Heritability in population studies
- Genetic variants impact
What are sleep-related movement disorders characterized by?
- Sleep
- Transition from wakefulness to sleep
- Include conditions like restless legs syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD).
What is the relationship between iron deficiency and RLS?
- Significant prevalence in iron-deficiency anemia
- CSF ferritin and transferrin levels
- Connection to brain functions
- Variability in affected brain regions
- Neuroimaging and post-mortem findings
How is restless legs syndrome (RLS) diagnosed?
- Clinical history collection
- Recognizing symptoms during wakefulness
- Symptoms include an urge to move the legs at rest, alleviated by movement.
How are PLMS and arousal related in RLS?
- Separated by >0.5 s
- Mechanisms for both events
- Correlation with movement duration
- Increase in arousal episodes
- Sensory-motor integration conflict
What are common symptoms of restless legs syndrome (RLS)?
- Urge to move legs at rest
- Occurs in the evening or night
- Alleviated by movement
- Associated with insomnia.
What are the key sleep-related movement disorders classified by the 2014 International Classification of Sleep Disorders?
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS)/Willis-Ekbom disease
- Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD)
- Leg cramps
- Sleep-related bruxism
- Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder
- Benign sleep myoclonus of infancy
- Propriospinal myoclonus at sleep onset
- Hypnic jerks
- Excessive fragmentary hypnic myoclonus
What is the prevalence of restless legs syndrome (RLS)?
- 2%-5% in adults in Europe, Canada, and the USA
- Lower prevalence in Asia
- Increases with age.
How does the experience of RLS differ between men and women?
- More severe symptoms compared to men
- Lower serum ferritin levels
- Less periodic leg movements during polysomnography.
What sensory symptoms are commonly associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS)?
- Tingling
- Burning sensations
- Tenseness or electric feeling
- Descriptions often vary among patients.
What lifestyle factors may be linked to restless legs syndrome (RLS)?
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Smoking
- Physical inactivity
- May exacerbate symptoms.
What are the two main classifications of restless legs syndrome (RLS)?
- Primary (sporadic or familial)
- Secondary (linked to iron deficiency or other conditions).
What are common consequences of sleep-related movement disorders?
- Sleep initiation and maintenance insomnia
- Disturbed sleep
- Patients often seek medical advice for these issues.
What diagnostic criteria are established for diagnosing restless legs syndrome (RLS)?
- An urge to move legs with uncomfortable sensations
- Symptoms worsen during rest
- Alleviation with movement
- Symptoms cause distress or impairment.
How are periodic limb movements during sleep (PLMS) related to RLS?
- Over 80% of patients with RLS
- Potentially asymptomatic or causing sleep fragmentation.
What comorbidities are associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS)?
- Sleep disruption
- Increased cardiovascular risk
- Issues with mood, including anxiety and depression.
What role does video-polysomnography play in diagnosing sleep-related movement disorders?
- Specific findings allowing diagnosis
- Observe abnormal motor manifestations during sleep
- Provide crucial clues for distinguishing disorders.
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