Restless legs symptoms in thyroid disorders

• Published in: Parkinsonism & related disorders Vol. 10; no. 3; pp. 149 - 151
• Main Authors: Tan, E.K., Ho, S.C., Eng, P., Loh, L.M., Koh, L., Lum, S.Y., Teoh, M.L., Yih, Y., Khoo, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2004
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Ambulatory Care - statistics & numerical data; Female; Humans; Hyperthyroidism; Hypothyroidism; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Restless legs syndrome; Restless Legs Syndrome - complications; Restless Legs Syndrome - diagnosis; Restless Legs Syndrome - epidemiology; Thyroid Diseases - complications; Thyroid Diseases - diagnosis; Thyroid Diseases - epidemiology; Hypothyroidism; Restless legs syndrome; Hyperthyroidism
• ISSN: 1353-8020; 1873-5126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2003.11.003

Dopaminergic dysfunction is associated with thyroid disorders and restless legs syndrome (RLS). In a ‘face-to-face’ interview, we evaluated for RLS using the diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) in patients diagnosed biochemically with either hyper- or hypothyroidism, and in controls without thyroid disorders. Amongst 146 consecutive patients with biochemically confirmed thyroid disorders, none satisfied all the IRLSSG criteria of RLS, similar to the control population (0.2%, 1/434). However, we found 8.2% (12/146) with RLS-like symptoms (satisfied the first 3 IRLSSG criteria) compared to 0.9% (4/434) in the controls ( p<0.0001). Four (33.3%) of these patients reported complete resolution of these symptoms after treatment for their thyroid condition. In conclusion, while RLS-like symptoms were observed in some patients with thyroid disorders, our study demonstrates no significant difference of RLS prevalence between patients with thyroid disorders and euthyroid controls.