J Neurogastroenterol Motil.
2012 Oct;18(4):426-433.
Association Between Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Restless Legs Syndrome: A Comparative Study With Control Group
- Affiliations
-
- 1Internal Medicine, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- 2Gastrointestinal & Liver Disease Research Center (GILDRC), Firoozgar Clinical Research Development Center (FCRDC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. sm-fereshtehnejad@farabi.tums.ac.ir
- 3Internal Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- 4Gastroenterology & Hepatology Department, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- 5Gastrointestinal & Liver Disease Research Center (GILDRC), Firoozgar Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
- BACKGROUND/AIMS
As a common gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been reported to be associated with some psychological and neurological factors. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence rate of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in a sample of IBS patients and to compare this prevalence with that of matched healthy controls.
METHODS
This prospective comparative study was conducted in Tehran, Iran during 2010-2011. Based on the Rome III criteria, a total number of 225 definite IBS patients and 262 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited in the final assessment to compare the prevalence rate of RLS between the 2 groups.
RESULTS
RLS was significantly more frequent in IBS group (25.3% vs 6.5%, P < 0.001) which led to an odds ratio (OR) of 4.89 (95% CI, 2.75-8.70). IBS patients with co-morbid RLS significantly suffered more from stomach pain (96.5% vs 86.3%, OR = 4.36 [95% CI, 1.00-19.12]), nausea (40.4% vs 21.4%, OR = 2.48 [95% CI, 1.30-4.73]) and vomiting (10.5% vs 2.4%, OR = 4.82 [95% CI, 1.31-17.76]).
CONCLUSIONS
By enrolling a considerable number of IBS patients and healthy controls, our study showed a significantly higher prevalence of RLS in IBS patients. Surprisingly, a higher prevalence rate of RLS was also accompanied with a more severe discomfort and stomach pain in IBS patients. It seems that screening patients with IBS for RLS may lead to greater identification of RLS and improved treatment for both conditions.
