Aetiology

Restless legs syndrome can be

• primary (idiopathic)
  • in most of the patients the aetiology is unknown (1)
  • a positive family history is seen in 50% of patients indicating a genetic predisposition (2)
    • an early age of onset (< 45 years) is observed in patients with a family history (3)
• secondary
  • three major reversible causes of secondary RLS are
    • pregnancy
    • iron-deficiency anaemia
    • end-stage renal disease (1)
      
      
  • other associatiated conditions include:
    • vitamin B12/folate deficiency
    • peripheral neuropathy
    • Parkinson's disease
    • fibromyalgia
    • rheumatoid arthritis
    • diabetes mellitus
      
      
  • certain drugs are associated with RLS:
    • antidopaminergic agents - metoclopramide
    • antidepressants - Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (3)
    • Lithium
    • antihistamines (4)

Reference:

• (1) RLS-UK/Ekbom Syndrome Association. What is Restless legs syndrome?
• (2) National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 2009. Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet.
• (3) Gamaldo C.E. et al. Rest legs syndrome – A clinical update. Chest 2006;130(5):1596-1604
• (4) Bayard M et al. Restless legs syndrome. AFP 2008;78(2)