[Restless legs syndrome in patients diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]

Rev Neurol. 2017 Apr 1;64(7):299-304.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Introduction: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological disease. RLS has been linked to various psychiatric disorders, especially with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Aims: The main objective was to describe the frequency of RLS in pediatric patients diagnosed with ADHD. Secondary objectives of the study were describe other sleep disorders in ADHD patients.

Patients and methods: A multicentre prospective study was conducted in nine Spanish centers. We included children aged 6-18 years diagnosed with ADHD between January and June 2015. Data were collected by 13 researchers doctors through an interview with the parent/caregiver and with the child. To assess the degree of functioning of patients with ADHD we used the Children's Global Assessment Scale. The Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children was applied to screening sleep disorders in childhood.

Results: A sample of 73 patients was collected. Five patients (6.8%) met diagnostic criteria for RLS: four of them definitive and one probable.

Conclusions: RLS is a frequent condition in adulthood but also in adolescence and childhood. ADHD patients have an increased risk of an RLS.

Title: Sindrome de piernas inquietas en pacientes diagnosticados de trastorno por deficit de atencion/hiperactividad.

Introduccion. El sindrome de piernas inquietas (SPI) es una patologia neurologica comun. Se ha relacionado con diferentes trastornos psiquiatricos, especialmente con el trastorno por deficit de atencion/hiperactividad (TDAH). Objetivos. El objetivo principal fue describir la frecuencia del SPI en pacientes pediatricos diagnosticados de TDAH. Los objetivos secundarios del estudio fueron describir otros trastornos del sueño en pacientes con TDAH. Pacientes y metodos. Se realizo un estudio descriptivo prospectivo multicentrico en nueve centros españoles de niños de 6-18 años con diagnostico de TDAH entre enero y junio de 2015. Los datos fueron recogidos por 13 medicos investigadores mediante entrevista con el padre/cuidador y con el menor. Para valorar el grado de funcionamiento de los pacientes con TDAH se utilizo la Children's Global Assessment Scale. Se aplico la Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children de Bruni para el cribado del trastorno de sueño de la infancia. Resultados. Se recogio una muestra de 73 pacientes. Cinco pacientes (6,8%) cumplen criterios diagnosticos de SPI: cuatro de ellos definitivos y uno probable. Conclusiones. El SPI es una entidad frecuente en la edad adulta, pero tambien en la adolescencia y en la infancia. Los pacientes con TDAH tienen un riesgo aumentado de presentar de manera concomitante un SPI.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / complications*
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / complications*
  • Restless Legs Syndrome / epidemiology*