Coexistence of restless legs syndrome and multiple sclerosis aggravates anxiety and depression

ABSTRACT

Background: Among the comorbidities that accompany multiple sclerosis (MS), restless legs syndrome (RLS) is one of the most common. Anxiety and depression are common psychological comorbidities that impact the quality of life of patients with MS (PwMS), as well as patients with RLS. Objective: To investigate the psychiatric burden of MS and RLS coexistence, we conducted a nationwide, multicenter and cross-sectional survey. Methods: Participants were assessed by using demographic and clinical parameters along with the Hamilton Anxiety and Hamilton Depression Scales (HAM-A and HAM-D). Results: Out of the 1,068 participants, 173 (16.2%) were found to have RLS [RLS(+)] and 895 (83.8%) did not [RLS(-)]. The mean scores for HAM-A and HAM-D were significantly higher among RLS(+) subjects than among RLS(-) subjects (p<0.001 for all variables). Conclusions: According to our data, the presence of RLS in PwMS may increase the occurrence of both anxiety and depression symptoms. Awareness and treatment of RLS in PwMS could possibly reduce the symptoms of psychiatric comorbidities originating from RLS.

RESUMO

Antecedentes: Considerando-se as comorbidades que acompanham a esclerose múltipla (EM), a síndrome das pernas inquietas (SPI) é uma das mais comuns, e ansiedade e depressão são comorbidades psicológicas comuns que afetam a qualidade de vida de pacientes com EM, bem como de pacientes com SPI. Objetivo: Investigar a carga psiquiátrica da coexistência de EM e SPI por meio de uma pesquisa nacional, multicêntrica e transversal. Métodos: Os participantes foram avaliados por parâmetros demográficos e clínicos, além da versão turca das escalas de ansiedade e depressão de Hamilton (HAM-A e HAM-D). Resultados: Dos 1.068 participantes, 173 (16,2%) apresentaram SPI [SPI (+)] e 895 (83,8%) não [SPI (-)]. As pontuações médias no HAM-A e no HAM-D foram significativamente maiores em indivíduos com SPI (+) do que naqueles com SPI (-) (p <0,001 para todas as variáveis). Conclusões: De acordo com nossos dados, a presença de SPI na EM pode aumentar a ocorrência de sintomas de ansiedade e depressão. A conscientização e o tratamento da SPI na EM podem reduzir os sintomas de comorbidades psiquiátricas originadas da SPI.

Keywords:

Multiple Sclerosis - Restless Legs Syndrome - Depression - Anxiety - Mental Disorders

Palavras-chave:

Esclerose Múltipla - Síndrome das Pernas Inquietas - Depressão - Ansiedade - Transtornos Mentais

Authors’ contributions:

SS: study concept and design, study supervision, center coordination, data collection, analysis and interpretation, drafting, revision and approval of the final version of the manuscript; MD, MT, BT, EI, MK, DT, RK, CO, MN, BKG: center supervision, data collection, analysis and interpretation, review and approval of the final version of the manuscript; NY: center supervision, data collection, analysis and interpretation, drafting, revision and approval of the final version of the manuscript; CB: center supervision; data collection, analysis and interpretation; approval of the final version of the manuscript; AS: center coordination, data collection, analysis and interpretation, review and approval of the final version of the manuscript; GBG: collection, check, input, analyses and interpretation of the whole data and coordination of study centers with the principal center; MB, SS, MAB, TG, AT, UU: data collection, analysis and interpretation.

Publication History

Received: 11 October 2020

Accepted: 11 March 2021

Article published online:
30 January 2023

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