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Published in: BMC Neurology 1/2020

01-12-2020 | Insomnia | Research article

Restless abdomen: a spectrum or a phenotype variant of restless legs syndrome?

Authors: Xi-Xi Wang, Xiao-Ying Zhu, Zan Wang, Jian-Wei Dong, William G. Ondo, Yun-Cheng Wu

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

With the growing awareness of restless legs syndrome (RLS), sensory disorders similar to RLS but initially confined to the arms, abdomen, and perineum have been reported. One of them is restless abdomen, which refers to a restless sensation in abdomen. Our study is designed to evaluate the clinical phenotype of restless abdomen and investigate its relationship with RLS.

Methods

We enrolled 10 patients with restless abdomen according to RLS diagnostic criteria, excluding the requiring of leg involvement. Laboratory examinations were performed to exclude mimics and notable comorbidities.

Results

All 10 patients had RLS like symptoms in the abdomen and otherwise satisfied all other RLS diagnostic criteria, and responded to dopaminergic therapy.

Conclusions

Neurologists and gastroenterologists should be aware that RLS-related restlessness can occur in extra-leg anatomy in the absence of episodes of worsening or augmentation of restlessness.
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Metadata
Title
Restless abdomen: a spectrum or a phenotype variant of restless legs syndrome?
Authors
Xi-Xi Wang
Xiao-Ying Zhu
Zan Wang
Jian-Wei Dong
William G. Ondo
Yun-Cheng Wu
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12883-020-01875-1

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