0745 RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME / WILLIS EKBOM DISEASE IN BARIATRIC SURGERY PATIENTS

Abstract

Objectives: To prospectively analyze presence and severity level of restless legs syndrome/Willis Ekbom Disease (RLS/WED) in patients undergoing bariatric surgery for weight loss. Methods: Consecutive adult patients scheduled for bariatric surgery for treatment of obesity between October 2014 and February 2016 were enrolled. Subjects completed validated questionnaires to assess presence and severity of RLS/WED (Cambridge-Hopkins Questionnaire 13 and International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale (IRLS)). Results: In 101 total subjects, 79% were females. Mean body mass index was 45.65 (SD ± 7.7). Baseline RLS/WED was present in 21% of patients with a mean IRLS score of 15 (SD ± 9.0). Three months following surgery, an additional 17% of subjects who presented for followup had developed RLS/WED (8/47); at 6 months an additional 8.8% (3/34); and at 12 months an additional 27% (3/11) had developed RLS/WED. Pre-surgical hemoglobin was below 12.0 g/dL in 8% (7/91). At baseline, 32% (32/101) of subjects were on a proton pump inhibitor and 39% (40/101) were on an antidepressant. Sleep studies were performed in 50% of patients (50/101) and 84% were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Of the 37 subjects who underwent in-lab polysomnography, mean periodic limb movement index was 20.47/h (SD ± 34.5). Conclusions: Bariatric surgery patients may be at higher risk for RLS/WED than the general population and their disease may be unrecognized. Long-term follow-up will be important, particularly given high risk of iron deficiency in this population. Routine screening for RLS/WED may be considered in bariatric surgery patients.