Session Information
Date: Monday, September 23, 2019
Session Title: Restless Leg Syndrome, RBD and Other Sleep Disorders
Session Time: 1:45pm-3:15pm
Location: Les Muses Terrace, Level 3
Objective: Beta thalassemia and sickle cell disease (SCD) are world-wide heamatologic diseases. The aim of this study is to explore the prevalence and severity of RLS in these two types of anemias.
Background: Both SCD and β-thalassemia patients often suffer from various vascular complications together with increased oxidative stress. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) can be seen to accompany these two diseases. But, the pathophysiological pathways can be different or the same.
Method: From September of 2016 to April of 2017, a total of 43 patients (22 with SCD, 21 with beta thalassemia) were recruited from the thalassemia units of the Hospitals of Antakya, Hatay, Turkey. They were screened for RLS, whose RLS symptoms were scored according to severity. Also 43 sex- and age-matched healthy control group individuals and patients were screened for RLS.
Results: The prevalence of RLS in these separate two groups of anemia was significantly higher than the normal population.
Conclusion: Although the pathophysiology of RLS is still not fully understood, SCD and beta thalassemia patients may have RLS symptoms, probably due to different causes. Neuropathy can be the most probable one instead of iron deficiency.
To cite this abstract in AMA style:
E. Okuyucu, M. Guntel, E. Ucar, G. Oktay. Is Restless Legs Syndrome Usual in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease and Beta Thalassemia? [abstract]. Mov Disord. 2019; 34 (suppl 2). https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/is-restless-legs-syndrome-usual-in-patients-with-sickle-cell-disease-and-beta-thalassemia/. Accessed June 15, 2025.« Back to 2019 International Congress
MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/is-restless-legs-syndrome-usual-in-patients-with-sickle-cell-disease-and-beta-thalassemia/