RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME IN THE ELDERLY

The prevalence and significance of restless legs syndrome was assessed in 307 patients presenting to an acute-care geriatric medical service . Fifteen patients (5%) had restless legs syndrome; 13 (87%) of these patients had insomnia and 10 (67%) reported troublesome or frequent le g symptoms. Of 147 patients with current insomnia, iron deficiency (se rum ferritin < 18 ng/ml) was present in 4/13 (31%) patients with restl ess legs and 8/134 (6%) patients without restless legs (P < 0.025). Im provement in symptoms of restless legs was noted with iron repletion. These findings suggest that restless legs syndome is relatively common in the elderly and causes significant discomfort and sleep disturbanc e. Iron deficiency is a common and treatable cause.