Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Outcome of restless legs severity after continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) treatment in patients affected by the association of RLS and obstructive sleep apneas.

Sleep Medicine 2006 April
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The association of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been reported in the literature for many years. Nevertheless, this pathological association has not yet been extensively studied and many questions remain unanswered. The primary concern of this study is to evaluate the influence of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (n-CPAP) therapy on daytime sleepiness and fatigue as well as the presence of a possible long-term beneficial effect on RLS severity and, secondarily, to ascertain the clinical, neurophysiological and polysomnographic characteristics of a group of patients with both OSAS and RLS.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients had a diagnostic polysomnography (PSG) and a second polysomnography for titration of n-CPAP. Laboratory tests (blood glucose, serum ferritin), body mass index (BMI) calculation and a neurophysiological evaluation (auditory P300 and electroneuromyography) were done. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Pichot's questionnaire of fatigue/depression (PIC) were applied to all patients before and after three months of n-CPAP treatment. The International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group rating scale (IRLS) was applied before and after n-CPAP. Results were compared.

RESULTS: The ESS scores decreased from 10.64+/-4.83 at baseline to 7.41+/-3.5 (P<0.05). PIC scores decreased from 16.65+/-7.27 to 10.12+/-6.40 (P<0.01). IRLS scores decreased from 17.60+/-7.11 before to 12.52+/-9.25 after n-CPAP (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that not only fatigue and sleepiness but also the severity of RLS show a favorable response to n-CPAP in the group of patients with OSAS and RLS.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app