Restless Legs Syndrome Linked to Decreased Physical Function

Xiang Gao, MD, PhD Assistant Professor in Medicine Harvard Medical School Associate Epidemiologist Brigham and Women's HospitalMedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Xiang Gao, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor in Medicine
Harvard Medical School
Associate Epidemiologist
Brigham and Women’s Hospital

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?

Dr. Gao: In this study including 12,556 men in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, we found that the participants with Restless Legs Syndrome at baseline had significantly lower physical function (PF) score 6 years later than those without RLS, after adjusting for potential confounders. The magnitude of difference in physical function score for RLS symptoms ≥15 times/month vs no Restless Legs Syndrome was more than that of a 5-year increase of age or moderate amount of smoking. We also found that having daily daytime sleepiness and sleep duration ≥9 hours/day were associated with lower mean physical function value than not having these symptoms .

MedicalResearch.com: Were any of the findings unexpected?

Dr. Gao: None because previous cross-sectional studies have reported similar relationship between Restless Legs Syndrome and lower physical function. However, this is the first large study to examine the potential impact of Restless Legs Syndrome and subsequent physical function several years later.

MedicalResearch.com: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?

Dr. Gao: Individuals with Restless Legs Syndrome could have a higher risk of several unfavorable health outcome, including overall physical function.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Gao: To replicate our results in other longitudinal studies and to understand potential underlying mechanisms for these observed associations.

Citation:

Restless legs syndrome status as a predictor for lower physical function

Chunbai Zhang, MD, MPH, Yanping Li, PhD, Atul Malhotra, MD, Yi Ning, MD, MPH, ScD and  Xiang Gao, MD, PhD
Published online before print March 5, 2014, doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000000284
Neurology April 8, 2014 vol. 82 no. 14 1212-1218


 

Last Updated on April 8, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD