Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease

Abstract

Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease is a very common disease, characterized by an urge to move the legs associated with dysesthesia when they are at rest, that is relieved by movement and worsens in the evening or during the night, supportive clinical features that are not essential but can help to resolve diagnostic uncertainty. Supportive features include sleep disturbances, family history of RLS, and a positive therapeutic response to dopaminergic medications. Dopamine receptor agonist and α2δ calcium-channel ligands represent the first-choice therapy. Several daytime consequences could occur in patients with RLS/WED and impact daytime functioning such as diurnal symptoms, sleepiness and fatigue, executive dysfunction, and augmentation (that is drug-related exacerbation). Quality of life could be impaired in moderate to severe RLS.