October 19, 2010 A new study says adults with fibromyalgia have a much higher prevalence and risk of RLS than anyone else.
According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin
Diseases, it is estimated 5 million Americans age 18 or older area affected by
Fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia can cause significant pain and fatigue and the causes
still remain unknown. RLS is a sleep-related movement disorder that involves an
urge to move the legs that is usually accompanied or caused by uncomfortable and
unpleasant sensations in the legs. Now researchers of Loyola University Medical
Center are saying treating RLS may improve sleep and quality of life in people
with fibromyalgia.
They studied 172 people with fibromyalgia and then compared them with 63
people with no signs of the disease. Pain was assessed by subjective report and
by measurement with a dolorimeter, a spring-loaded gauge that is used to apply
standardized rates of pressure to tender points on the arms and legs.
Results showed that the prevalence of restless legs syndrome was about 10 times higher in the fibromyalgia group than it the healthier group. After taking under consideration their age, gender and ethnicity, participants with fibromyalgia were 11 times more likely than controls to have RLS. In the fibromyalgia group these sleep problems were more severe among people who also had RLS.
"Sleep disruption is common in fibromyalgia, and often difficult to treat," contributing author Dr. Nathaniel F. Watson, associate professor of neurology at the University of Washington in Seattle, Wash. was quoted saying. "It is apparent from our study that a substantial portion of sleep disruption in fibromyalgia is due to restless legs syndrome."
SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, October 2010 as reported on Invanhoe.com
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