Restless legs syndrome and multiple sclerosis: a population based case-control study in Catania, Sicily.

Background and purpose: A population-based case-control study in the city of Catania, Sicily, was carried out to determine restless legs syndrome (RLS) prevalence and its association with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Patients were randomly selected from a cohort of MS patients resident in the study area and a group of age and sex matched controls was enrolled from the general population. RLS was diagnosed according to the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group criteria. Results: In total, 152 MS patients and 431 controls were included in the study. A significantly higher prevalence of RLS amongst MS patients (14.5%) compared with controls (6.0%) was detected, corresponding to an almost threefold increased risk (odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.4-5.0) of developing RLS. Spinal cord lesions in MS patients were associated with a higher risk of RLS (odds ratio 3.7, 95% confidence interval 1.1-13.5). Conclusion: RLS was strongly associated with MS, with a significantly higher risk in patients presenting spinal cord lesions.