Symptom Aggravation in Restless Legs Syndrome during Menstrual Cycle

Hwang, Sungeun; Shin, Yong Won; Jung, Ki Young

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study is to confirm restless legs syndrome (RLS) symptom aggravation during menstrual period and verify factors related to symptom aggravation.
METHODS
A total of 20 premenopausal female RLS patients were classified into two groups according to symptom aggravation during menstrual period (menstrual RLS group and non-menstrual RLS group). They answered a questionnaire including duration and quantity of menstruation, other medical conditions, and premenstrual syndrome symptoms. Laboratory tests including iron panel and hemoglobin levels were done.
RESULTS
Six out of 20 patients (30%) complained of symptom aggravation during menstrual period. RLS symptoms were aggravated by 40±33.47% compared to non-menstrual period in menstrual RLS group. One patient was taking additional medication for aggravated symptoms. Menstrual duration, quantity of menstrual bleeding showed no difference between menstrual RLS and non-menstrual RLS groups. On laboratory tests, two patients from non-menstrual RLS group were diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia. Serum iron levels, total iron binding capacity, serum iron saturation, and serum ferritin levels did not show difference between the two groups, while hemoglobin levels were significantly lower (13.8 vs. 12.4 g/dL) in non-menstrual RLS group (p=0.044).
CONCLUSIONS
RLS symptoms aggravate during menstrual period in 30% of premenopausal RLS patients. Low ferritin levels were not related to menstrual RLS symptom aggravation. Further study is required to verify other factors such as hormonal fluctuations.