Open Access

Restless legs syndrome: An overview of pathophysiology, comorbidities and therapeutic approaches (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Andrei Vlasie
    • Simona Corina Trifu
    • Cristiana Lupuleac
    • Bianca Kohn
    • Mihai Bogdan Cristea
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 30, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.11108
  • Article Number: 185
  • Copyright: © Vlasie et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

The aim of this overview was to outline the pathophysiology, common comorbidities and current therapeutic modalities in the treatment/management of restless legs syndrome (RLS) a sensorimotor neurological disorder. The main symptom in RLS is a compelling compulsion to move the legs and a sense of restlessness at rest most commonly occurring during the night and improving with movement. The prevalence of secondary RLS among comorbid conditions such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, end‑stage renal disease, irritable bowel syndrome and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder have further elucidated our understanding of the role of the iron‑dopamine hypothesis as an etiopathogenetic hallmark in RLS and the efficacy of therapeutic approaches in milder to more severe forms. Currently, RLS treatment uses only symptomatic agents, since a disease‑modifying therapy does not yet exist. The phenomena of rebound and augmentation have become central phenomena in overcoming the pharmacotherapeutic challenges when treating with dopaminergic agents in RLS. Considering alternative nonpharmacological therapies, especially for the treatment of RLS in pregnancy has a significant role and positive clinical outcome for patients in controlling symptoms.
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February-2022
Volume 23 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
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Spandidos Publications style
Vlasie A, Trifu SC, Lupuleac C, Kohn B and Cristea MB: Restless legs syndrome: An overview of pathophysiology, comorbidities and therapeutic approaches (Review). Exp Ther Med 23: 185, 2022
APA
Vlasie, A., Trifu, S.C., Lupuleac, C., Kohn, B., & Cristea, M.B. (2022). Restless legs syndrome: An overview of pathophysiology, comorbidities and therapeutic approaches (Review). Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 23, 185. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.11108
MLA
Vlasie, A., Trifu, S. C., Lupuleac, C., Kohn, B., Cristea, M. B."Restless legs syndrome: An overview of pathophysiology, comorbidities and therapeutic approaches (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 23.2 (2022): 185.
Chicago
Vlasie, A., Trifu, S. C., Lupuleac, C., Kohn, B., Cristea, M. B."Restless legs syndrome: An overview of pathophysiology, comorbidities and therapeutic approaches (Review)". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 23, no. 2 (2022): 185. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.11108