Restless leg syndrome and associated factors in patients with paralytic poliomyelitis

The aim of this study was to assess the presence of Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) in patients with poliomyelitis, and associated factors. Forty-six patients with paralytic poliomyelitis who were followed-up in 2014 were included in the study. The RLS diagnosis was made according to the survey forms by International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group. The RLS rating scale was used to rate the disease severity. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. The Beck depression inventory was used in order to evaluate depression. Forty-six patients (30 males, 16 females) were included in the study. The mean age was 54.1 ± 5.8 years. Eighteen patients (39.1%) were diagnosed with RLS. For patients with RLS, the mean age at poliomyelitis onset was 2.4 ± 1.1 years; on the other hand, the mean age at poliomyelitis onset was 6.8 ± 3.8 years for patients without RLS (P = 0.03). Bilateral extremity involvement was detected in four patients with RLS, and one patient without RLS (P = 0.01). We did not find a significant difference in depression scores between the groups (P = 0.541). The PSQI score was significantly higher in RLS patients (P = 0.01). RLS is more common in patients with poliomyelitis, compared to the general population. Patients, especially those who have bilateral lower extremity involvement and low age at poliomyelitis onset, might be at risk for RLS development. Further studies are required to evaluate the mechanisms that could explain RLS development and disease-associated factors.