DefinePK

Abstract

Background: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a common non-motor symptom in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) that significantly affects quality of life. Its prevalence varies and may be influenced by factors such as medication, disease duration, and comorbidities. Objective: To determine the frequency of Restless Legs Syndrome in patients with Parkinson's disease. Study Design: cross-sectional study. Setting: The Department of Neurology at Fouji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Duration of Study: 12 September 2024 to 12 March 2025.  Methods: A total of 73 patients with clinically diagnosed Parkinson's disease aged 40–80 years were enrolled. RLS was diagnosed based on the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) criteria, and symptom severity was evaluated using the International RLS Rating Scale (IRLS). Parkinson's disease severity was assessed using the Hoehn and Yahr scale. Data on demographics, comorbidities, medication use, and disease characteristics were collected using a structured proforma. Results: The mean age of participants was 63.96 ± 11.15 years, with a mean PD duration of 5.18 ± 2.00 years. Males accounted for 56.2% of the cohort. RLS was identified in 20.5% of the patients, and 27.4% were receiving dopaminergic therapy. Common comorbid conditions included hypertension (46.6%) and diabetes mellitus (30.1%). Conclusion: This study found a moderately high frequency (20.5%) of Restless Legs Syndrome in patients with Parkinson's disease. These findings underscore the importance of routine screening for RLS in PD patients to improve overall disease management and quality of life.