Frequency of restless legs syndrome in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome and related factors

Frequency of restless legs syndrome in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome and related factors Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in patients with Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and to define which clinical features are more prominent in patients with RLS. We believe that the data obtained from the study will contribute to the literature on what should be considered in the follow-up of patients with FMS. Method: 100 patients diagnosed with FMS according to the 2016 ACR diagnostic criteria were included in the study. Demographic characteristics of patients were recorded. The disease effect was assessed with Visual analog scale (VAS) and Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ). Short Form-36 (SF-36), Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), Beck anxiety and depression scales were administered to the patients to evaluate quality of life, psychological state and sleep quality. Patients were evaluated in terms of RLS, and disease severity was determined by applying the International Restless Leg Syndrome Study Group Illness Severity Scale (IRLSS) to those who met the diagnostic criteria for RLS. Results: The incidence of RLS was 62% in the patients with FMS. When we examined the effect of RLS on the course of the disease in FMS patients, although the FES score, PUKI score, depression and anxiety scores were higher in the group with RLS compared to those without RLS, the difference was not statistically significant. When evaluated in terms of quality of life, no statistically significant difference was found except for physical function. Physical function was significantly better in the group without RLS (p=0.033). Finally, when we examined the possible risk factors for the development of RLS in FMS in terms of demographic characteristics, we found that the mean age of the patient group with RLS (46.4±10.1) was higher than the group without RLS (43±10.5), but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0,065). Conclusion: Restless legs syndrome is a very common condition in patients with FMS. However, the presence of RLS does not have an additional negative effect on quality of life, sleep and psychological status in these patients.