Restless Leg Syndrome a Sign of Underlying Disease, Study

Restless leg syndrome, a sleep disorder, can be an indication of a bigger underlying health issue.

The study led by Boston Medical Center neurologist, Sanford H.  Auerbach, MD, claims that this nervous disorder that triggers an irresistible urge to move ones legs, may actually be a biomarker for an underlying disease.

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is annoying and causes itching, cramps and severe pain in the legs. The severity of this disorder ranges from mild to intolerable. The symptoms generally worsen in the evening and at night during sleep. Nearly 10 percent of the U.S. population is affected with RLS and it is more common among women. Most often this condition is unrecognized or is misdiagnosed.  

The study researchers claim that screening for this condition may turn into a common tool for GPs in order to identify patients at risk, according to Mirror.co.

The researchers conclude this after examining nearly 12,556 men who were a part of the Follow-Up-Study. They were followed for a certain period of time by the health professionals to monitor the condition of the victims.

The noticed that multiple diseases were linked with the neurological disorder RLS.

During the analysis conducted earlier using the same data, it was seen that men with RLS had a higher risk of being diagnosed with lung disease, endocrine disease, problems linked with the immune system, nutritional problems and certain metabolic disease.

"Patients with RLS had a higher mortality rate than similar men, and showed an especially strong tendency toward cardiovascular disease and hypertension," said Auerbach, associate professor of neurology and psychiatry at Boston University School of Medicine.

Neurology experts claim that attention should be given to the condition not because of the impact it has on the life of the person but because of the impact it can have on chronic diseases, according to Boston.com.

The study was documented in the journal Neurology.