Unzureichende Behandlung des idiopathischen Restless-Legs-Syndroms? – Ergebnisse einer Patientenbefragung

Zusammenfassung

Fragestellung: Geschätzte 1,3 % der adulten deutschen Bevölkerung leiden unter einem klinisch relevanten, therapiebedürftigen Restless-Legs-Syndrom (RLS). Die vorliegende Patientenbefragung wurde durchgeführt, um Erkenntnisse über die tageszeitliche RLS-Symptomatik und Art und Wirksamkeit der medikamentösen Behandlung aus Patientensicht zu erhalten.

Methodik: Die Mitglieder der Deutschen Restless Legs Vereinigung e. V. und adulte Patienten mit idiopathischem RLS in neurologischen Praxen erhielten Fragebögen zur schriftlichen anonymen Beantwortung.

Ergebnisse: Insgesamt 741 Erhebungsbögen konnten statistisch ausgewertet werden. Die mediane Behandlungsdauer der Befragten (Altersmedian 69 Jahre, 72 % Frauen) betrug 6 Jahre. Von den 651 Patienten mit Angaben zur medikamentösen Behandlung erhielten 70 % Dopaminagonisten und 48 % Levodopapräparate; 40,7 % (Angaben für n = 646) der Patienten erhielten Kombinationstherapien aus unterschiedlichen Medikamentenklassen. Bei 69 % der Patienten traten tagsüber Beschwerden auf und Medikamente wurden bereits morgens (27 %), mittags (25 %) und nachmittags (24 %) eingenommen. Obwohl 80 % der Befragten eine Verbesserung ihrer Lebensqualität durch RLS-Medikation angaben, hielten 70 % ihre derzeitige Therapie für nicht ausreichend.

Schlussfolgerung: Es besteht weiterhin großer Bedarf an einer Verbesserung der medikamentösen RLS-Therapie. Der hohe Anteil an Patienten mit Symptombeginn bereits am Tag weist darauf hin, dass vielfach eine langwirksame medikamentöse Symptomkontrolle erforderlich ist.

Abstract

Objective: Approximately 1.3 % of the adult German population require treatment for a clinically relevant restless legs syndrome (RLS). The present survey was carried out to gain information about the patients’ perspective on the occurrence of symptoms, and the type and effectiveness of pharmacological treatments.

Methods: Members of the German Restless Legs Association and adult patients presenting with idiopathic RLS in neurological practices were given questionnaires for written, anonymous completion.

Results: A total of 741 questionnaires was available for statistical analysis. Median treatment duration of the participants (median 69 years of age, 72 % female) was 6 years. Of the 651 patients with pharmacotherapy data, 70 % received dopamine agonists and 48 % levodopa preparations; 40.7 % (data for n = 646) of the patients received combination therapy using different medication classes. Daytime symptoms occurred in 69 % of the patients, and medication was already administered in the morning (27 %), at noon (25 %) and in the afternoon (24 %). Although 80 % of the participants stated an improvement in quality of life owing to RLS medication, 70 % regarded their current pharmacological therapy as not sufficient.

Conclusion: There are still unmet requirements in RLS pharmacotherapy. The high proportion of patients with daytime symptoms indicates a need for long-acting pharmacological symptom control.

Schlüsselwörter

Restless-Legs-Syndrom - tageszeitliches Symptom - medikamentöse Therapie - Patientenerhebung

Keywords

restless legs syndrome - daytime symptoms - pharmacotherapy - patient survey

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