Prevalence and Characteristics of Restless Leg Syndrome in Thai Patients With Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by pathologic intraneuronal alpha-synuclein-positive Lewy bodies and neuronal cell loss. The cardinal clinical symptoms and signs of PD are bradykinesia, rigidity, tremor, postural instability, and freezing attacks. The prevalence of PD increases with age, affecting 1-2% of the population over the age of 65 years, and 3% of those over 85 years. Restless legs syndrome (RLS) represents disturbing symptoms in lower limbs that lead to the urge to move, occurring in rest periods. Movements can partially or completely relieve these abnormal feelings. In 2014, the International RLS Study Group (IRLSSG) established five mandatory criteria for the diagnosis of RLS. Several studies supported that RLS and PD may share pathophysiological mechanisms.
• Patients with Parkinson's disease aged from 18 to 80 years who met the United Kingdom Parkinson's Disease Society (UKPDS) Brain Bank Diagnostic criteria.