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Restless Legs Syndrome and its treatment : case reports

Publication at First Faculty of Medicine |
2014

Abstract

The restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disorder (the prevalence of RLS in Europe is 100%. RLS is characterized by an imperative urgent to move the limbs, especially the legs, typically occurring at rest, especially in the evening and the night.

There are two forms of the disorder: idiopathic and secondary RLS. The treatment of RLS is symptomatic; in case of secondary RLS, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease.

First-line symptomatic treatment of RLS involves dopaminergic therapy. Opioids and anticonvulsants are also used.

Some patients achieve a long-term effect with ona type of dopaminergic therapy, while others may suffer a reaction to such treatment such as augmentation, which necessitates dosage adjustment or a switch to second-line treatment. In any case, it is important to take into account the existence of this diagnosis and to diagnose it correctly and early on.