Restless leg syndrome in multiple sclerosis: a case–control study

ObjectivesThis study assessed the prevalence of restless leg syndrome (RLS) among patients with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) and the association between RLS and MS disease duration, sleep disturbance, and daytime fatigue.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, we interviewed 123 patients via phone calls using preset questionnaires containing the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) diagnostic criteria, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) diagnostic criteria validated in both Arabic and English. The prevalence of RLS in MS was compared to a group of healthy controls.ResultsThe prevalence of RLS in pwMS, defined by meeting all four requirements included in the IRLSSG diagnostic criteria, was 30.3% compared to 8.3% in the control group. About 27.3% had mild RLS, 36.4% presented with moderate, and the remaining had severe or very severe symptoms. Patients with MS who experience RLS had a 2.8 times higher risk of fatigue compared to pwMS without RLS. pwMS with RLS had worse sleep quality, with a mean difference of 0.64 in the global PSQI score. Sleep disturbance and latency had the most significant impact on sleep quality.ConclusionThe prevalence of RLS among MS patients was significantly higher compared to the control group. We recommend educating neurologists and general physicians to increase their awareness of the increasing prevalence of RLS and its association with fatigue and sleep disturbance in patients with MS

Advanced coats-like retinopathy as the initial presentation of Familial Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysms

Purpose: To describe two young Saudi brothers with bilateral progressive retinal arterial aneurysms and a subtotal exudative retinal detachment with Coats-like presentation in the older sibling as the initial presentation of Familial Retinal Arterial Macroaneurysms (FRAM). Observations: Two young Saudi brothers with a family history of consanguinity presented with the classic clinical presentation and genetic identification of FRAM. In this report, we describe the presence of prominent peripheral retinal capillary changes mimicking Coats' disease. Conclusions and importance: FRAM can present similar to bilateral Coats' disease and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of Coats-like retinopathy. The diagnosis of FRAM may have a significant implication because of the associated cardiac abnormality, such as supravalvular pulmonary stenosis, which should be evaluated by echocardiography and managed accordingly. Keywords: Familial retinal arterial macroaneurysms (FRAM), Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), Supravalvular pulmonic stenosis, Coats’-like retinopathy, Retinal arterial aneurysm