Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease and Periodic Limb Movements: A Comprehensive Review of Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment Considerations

Title:Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease and Periodic Limb Movements: A Comprehensive Review of Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment Considerations

Volume: 12 Issue: 2

Author(s): Dyveke P. Pratt

Affiliation:

Keywords: Restless legs syndrome, RLS, willis-ekbom disease, WED, periodic limb movements, PLMs.

Abstract: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) or Willis-Ekbom Disease is a common, but frequently under- recognized and misdiagnosed condition seen in many subspecialty practices including neurology, sleep medicine, primary care and rheumatology. Periodic limb movements are a frequent co-morbid diagnosis in RLS. Despite prior beliefs that the condition was “benign”, it has been demonstrated to have a considerable impact on sufferers quality of life, physically and psychologically, as well as socially. This chapter is meant as a comprehensive review of RLS encompassing epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment considerations.

Cite this article as:

P. Pratt Dyveke, Restless Legs Syndrome/Willis-Ekbom Disease and Periodic Limb Movements: A Comprehensive Review of Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment Considerations, Current Rheumatology Reviews 2016; 12 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573403X12666160223120340

DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1573403X12666160223120340	Print ISSN 1573-3971
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher	Online ISSN 1875-6360