Restless Legs Syndrome and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), also known as Willis Ekbom disease (WED), is a sensory disorder with a circadian component. An irresistible urge to move the legs disrupts sleep onset and maintenance. Periodic limb movements in sleep, semirhythmic in nature, often overlap with RLS, though periodic limb movement disorder can be diagnosed in the absence of RLS’s distinctive sensory symptoms. Disruptions in dopaminergic pathways, iron metabolism, and the opioid system have all been implicated in pathogenesis, and there is a strong genetic component. RLS is common, affecting 5% to 10% of adults. Its best-known treatments are dopamine agonists; however, other treatments are effective.