Restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements in acute stroke patients with sleep apnea

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze frequency of restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements in patients with acute stroke and sleep apnea.

Patients and Methods: It was analyzed 110 acute stroke patients with sleep apnea, treated at Department of Neurology, University Clinical Center Tuzla in the period December, 2009-May, 2010. Acute stroke has been verified either by computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movements were evaluated by questionnaire (International RLS Study Group Criteria) as well as information's taken by patients or family members. Average age was 65.13 ± 9.27 years. Majority of patients were men (65/59%). The control group included the same number of acute stroke patient without sleep apnea. Average age was 64 ± 8.69 years and sex ratio was the same as well. Statistical data was analyzed by Arcus Quickstat Biomedical statistical program with p<0.05 considered significant.

Results: Restless legs syndrome has been verified in 18 (16.6 %) patients with apnea (10/22.2% women and 8/12.3% men), and in the control group in 12 (10.9%)(7/15.5% women and 5/7.7% men). Periodic limb movements had 43 (40%) patients (25/38.5% men and 18/40% women) with apnea. Periodic limb movements without apnea had 19 (17.3%) patients (12/18.5% men and 7/15.6 women). There is no significant differences in restless legs syndrome in patients with or without sleep apnea, neither in men (X²=0.34, p=0.56) nor women (X²=0.29, p=0.59). Otherwise, there is significant difference in periodic limb movements in patients with sleep apnea both in men (X²=5.44, p=0.02) and women (X²=5.54, p=0.02).

Conclusion: Restless legs syndrome is presented in 16.6% acute stroke patients with and in 10.9% without sleep apnea (p>0.05). Periodic limb movements are significantly more frequent in patients with (40%) then in patients without apnea (17.3%)(p<0.05).

Key words: Acute stroke; Sleep Apnea; Restless Legs Syndrome; Periodic Limb Movement