Restless Leg Syndrome is Prevalent in Military Veterans with Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder and Sleep Disturbances

Introduction: While Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep related movement disorder with a negative impact on sleep, quality of life and health, it may remain underdiagnosed for years. This study aims to evaluate RLS in military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suffering from sleep disturbances.Material and methods: Thirty-One Iranian male military veterans diagnosed with PTSD entered this study. None of them had diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and renal failure or were taking medications affecting RLS. Daytime sleepiness, anxiety and depression, RLS severity and the risk of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) were assessed by standard questionnaires.Results: The mean age was 51.6 ± 6.1 years. The most common complaint was difficulty falling asleep. Eight individuals (25.5% of participants) had RLS. All of them had evidence of OSA based on the STOP-BANG questionnaire. The severity of RLS was not associate with sleepiness, depressive symptoms and body mass index (BMI), but with anxiety symptoms.Conclusion: RLS should be taken into consideration in veterans with PTSD, particularly in those with sleep disturbances including insomnia, sleep related movements and sleep apnea.