Highlights & Basics
- Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized by a compulsive urge to move the legs.
- Sometimes associated with dysesthesias that are described as creeping, crawling, tingling, cramping, or aching of the extremities.
- Symptoms are usually worse during rest and in the evening, and are temporarily improved with movement.
- Lower extremities are affected more than upper extremities.
- Treatment includes nonpharmacologic interventions, levodopa/carbidopa, dopamine agonists, opioids, benzodiazepines/benzodiazepine receptor agonists, or gabapentinoids.
Quick Reference
History & Exam
Key Factors
Other Factors
Diagnostics Tests
Treatment Options
Definition
Epidemiology
Etiology
Pathophysiology
Citations
Winkelman JW, Armstrong MJ, Allen RP, et al. Practice guideline summary: treatment of restless legs syndrome in adults - report of the Guideline Development, Dissemination, and Implementation Subcommittee of the American Academy of Neurology. Neurology. 2016 Dec 13;87(24):2585-93.[Abstract][Full Text]
American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The AASM international classification of sleep disorders - third edition, text revision (ICSD-3-TR). Jun 2023 [internet publication].[Full Text]
Silber MH, Buchfuhrer MJ, Earley CJ, et al. The management of restless legs syndrome: an updated algorithm. Mayo Clin Proc. 2021 Jul;96(7):1921-37.[Abstract][Full Text]
Winkelman JW, Berkowski JA, DelRosso LM, et al. Treatment of restless legs syndrome and periodic limb movement disorder: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. J Clin Sleep Med. 2025 Jan 1;21(1):137-52.[Abstract][Full Text]
Allen RP, Picchietti DL, Auerbach M, et al. Evidence-based and consensus clinical practice guidelines for the iron treatment of restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease in adults and children: an IRLSSG task force report. Sleep Med. 2018 Jan;41:27-44.[Abstract][Full Text]
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27. Garcia-Borreguero D, Silber MH, Winkelman JW, et al. Guidelines for the first-line treatment of restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease, prevention and treatment of dopaminergic augmentation: a combined task force of the IRLSSG, EURLSSG, and the RLS-foundation. Sleep Med. 2016 May;21:1-11.[Abstract][Full Text]
28. Allen RP, Picchietti DL, Auerbach M, et al. Evidence-based and consensus clinical practice guidelines for the iron treatment of restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease in adults and children: an IRLSSG task force report. Sleep Med. 2018 Jan;41:27-44.[Abstract][Full Text]
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