Therapie des restless-legs-syndroms

The restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterised by paraesthesias and dysaesthesias in the lower limbs. These symptoms are accompanied by an urge to move the limbs. They mainly occur at rest with a partial relief by activity. The diagnosis is based on the typical clinical picture of the disease. Furthermore patients demonstrate problems with initiating and maintaining sleep and with periodic limb movements during the night. Regular and sustained release L-dopa and dopamine agonists have proved effective. The positive effect on sensor and motor symptoms has been demonstrated in open trials as well as in double-blind controlled studies. Development of time shift and/or augmentation of symptoms is a major problem with dopaminergic treatment. Further efficient medications are opioids and benzodiazepines.