Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also called Willis-Ekbom Disease, causes unpleasant or uncomfortable sensations in the legs and an irresistible urge to move them.
Minimal Criteria
- A compelling urge to move the limbs, usually associated with paresthesias or dysesthesias
- Motor restlessness as seen in activities such as floor pacing, tossing and turning in bed and rubbing the legs
- Symptoms that are worse or present only during rest and are partially or temporarily relieved by activity
- Symptoms that are worse in the evening and at night
Associated Features
- Sleep disturbance and daytime fatigue
- Normal neurologic examination (in patients with primary RLS)
- Involuntary, repetitive, periodic, jerking limb movements, either in sleep or while awake and at rest
References:
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Walters AS, for the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Toward a better definition of the restless legs syndrome. Mov Disord 1995;10(5):634-42 [Medline]
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National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Working Group on Restless Legs Syndrome. Restless legs syndrome: detection and management in primary care. Am Fam Physician. 2000 Jul 1;62(1):108-14. [Medline]
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Mathis J. Update on restless legs. Swiss Med Wkly. 2005 Dec 10;135(47-48):687-96. [Medline]
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Allen RP, Picchietti D, Hening WA, Trenkwalder C, Walters AS, Montplaisi J; Restless Legs Syndrome Diagnosis and Epidemiology workshop at the National Institutes of Health; International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. Restless legs syndrome: diagnostic criteria, special considerations, and epidemiology. A report from the restless legs syndrome diagnosis and epidemiology workshop at the National Institutes of Health. Sleep Med. 2003 Mar;4(2):101-19. [Medline]
