Evaluation of sensory nerve conduction studies and hematologic parameters in restless legs syndrome

Objective: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) presents with sensory symptoms such as burning in the legs, patients want to move their legs. Symptoms become apparent at rest and at night. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sensory nerve conduction and hematologic parameters in RLS. Materials and Methods: Forty-five patients with RLS and 45 healthy controls were included in the study. Age, sex, and chronic diseases of the patients were questioned. Hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and ferritin values were recorded. Ulnar, median, and sural sensory nerve amplitude, latency and conduction velocity were evaluated in a electroneuromyography laboratory. Data were analyzed using descriptive, parametric and nonparametric tests with the SPSS 21 software. Results: There were 22 (49%) female and 23 (51%) male patients with RLS in the study. The mean age was 57.31±14.47 years. Mean blood values were as follows: Hemoglobin (g/dl) 14.06±1.88; MCV (fl) 85.70 (55.7-96.5); MCH (pg) 28.45 (17.6-32.5), and ferritin (ng/ml) 31.30 (4-848). There was no difference in terms of blood values between RLS and control group (p>0.05). Sural nerve conduction velocity was slower in patients with RLS (p=0.01). Sural nerve latency was longer (p=0.01). Other nerve conduction parameters were equal in the study and control groups (p>0.05) Conclusion: Central nervous system dopaminergic mechanisms, genetic transmission, and low ferritin levels are the main factors in the pathogenesis of RLS. There is less focus on the peripheral nervous system. In this study, sural nerve conduction velocity and latency were associated with RLS. However, there was no correlation between ferritin levels and nerve conduction.