Restless Legs Syndrome Could Jeopardize Male Health, Higher Mortality Risk Associated with Condition

As some men may have a predisposition to restless legs syndrome, a recent observational study also shows that they may be more likely to die sooner.

According to the study, in fact, men with the problem were 39 percent more likely to die through up to 8 years of follow-up compared with those without the condition, according to Xiang Gao, MD, PhD, of Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, and colleagues.

Daniel Labovitz, MD, of Montefiore Medical Center in New York City, commented on the study, via Med Page Today, noting that "it's difficult in a [study of this size] to find a previously unidentified risk for death that carries a risk of 40 percent greater than people without the disease. That's the kind of extra risk we see from known causes of death like high blood pressure and diabetes. It's a big deal."

"What I wonder is, is the finding real," he said in an interview, according to Med Page Today, pointing out that an observational study design leaves open the possibility of residual confounding and that some unknown factor aside from restless legs syndrome could be responsible for the increased mortality risk.

People with restless leg syndrome typically have uncomfortable sensations in their legs, which sometimes lead to other parts of their bodies, and give them an irristible urge to constantly move. The condition can cause an uncomfortable itchy feeling and is typically seen in 5 to 10 percent of adults.

Gao and colleagues looked at the data from 18,425 participants free from diabetes, arthritis and renal failure in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. This is an ongoing investigation of male health professionals from 40 to 75. These individuals were questioned about restless legs syndrome in a 2002 assessment, and followed up with in 2010.

The authors write that the average man in the study was 67, and 3.7 percent of participants had restless leg syndrome. Following the 8 year follow-up period, 15 percent of the men died.

Researchers note that the link between restless legs syndrome and death was stronger among men who had symptoms 15 or more times per month compared with five to 14 times per month.

The study also shows that men with restless legs syndrome and another health condition, including hypertension, cardiovascular disease, cancer and insomnia, were at an overall greater mortality risk than others with just the syndrome alone.

The findings for the study can be seen online in the journal Neurology.