Investigation of the effects and risk factors on the quality of life, adaptation to the treatment of the restless legs syndrome induced BY SSRİ-SNRI

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and serotonin noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRI) are among the most prescribed antidepressants classes. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disorder which is often under-diagnosed. Although the literature not provides a reliable information about the rate of RLS in antidepressant users, several case reports have suggested that SSRI / SNRI could induce RLS. The aims of this thesis study were to investigate; (1) the frequency of RLS, (2) the effects of RLS on quality of life and, (3) the risk factors for RLS in patients treated with SSRI / SNRI. We conducted a prospective observational study from March 2019 to January 2020 in psychiatric outpatients who treated with SSRI / SNRI for a month. RLS symptoms were evaluated with the International RLS Study Group's standardized questionnaire (IRLSSG). Health quality was assessed by SF-36 scale. In the total sample, the frequency of RLS according to IRLSSG was 25.2%. The rates of RLS in patients treated with escitalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine, duloxetine and venlafaxine were 29.5%, 21.2%, 27.7%, 27.8, 9.1% and 12.5%, respectively. Pain subscale score of SF-36 was higher in patients with RLS. However, there were no differences in terms of physical functioning, role physical, vitality, mental health, role emotional, social functioning and general health subscales. This thesis study demonstrates that the frequency of RLS varied among the SSRI / SNRI users. Additionally, RLS occurrence may significantly influence the pain subdomain of SF-36 of patients treated SSRI / SNRI.