Sleep medicine
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Patients with Willis-Ekbom disease (restless legs syndrome [RLS]) frequently report seasonal worsening of their symptoms; however, seasonal patterns in this disorder have not been systematically evaluated. The purpose of our investigation was to utilize Internet search query data to test the hypothesis that restless legs symptoms vary by season, with worsening in the summer months. ⋯ Evidence from Internet search queries across a wide range of dates and geographic areas suggested a seasonality of restless legs symptomatology with a peak in summer months. Our novel finding in RLS epidemiology needs to be confirmed in additional samples, and underlying mechanisms must be elucidated.
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Specific diagnostic criteria for pediatric restless legs syndrome (RLS) were published in 2003 following a workshop at the National Institutes of Health. Due to substantial new research and revision of the adult RLS diagnostic criteria, a task force was chosen by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) to consider updates to the pediatric diagnostic criteria. ⋯ Revised diagnostic criteria for pediatric RLS have been developed, which are intended to improve clinical practice and promote further research.