Patients with RLS usually seek medical care due to impaired sleep. Diagnosis primarily relies on subjective questionnaires, as physical and electrophysiological examinations often appear normal, leading to frequent misdiagnosis. The diagnostic criteria include the urge to move accompanied by uncomfortable sensations, worsening during periods of rest and in the evening. The sensations are often described as “creepy-crawly,” “jittery,” “pulling,” “shock-like pain,” “burning,” “throbbing,” “tightness,” and “itching,” with pain being the primary symptom in over 50% of RLS patients. The symptoms can severely degrade normal daily functions but are often improved with movement.

The two forms of RLS are primary, which has a strong genetic component and typically presents before age 45, and secondary, which is more symptomatic and often associated with other neuropathic disorders or conditions like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and peripheral neuropathy. Treatment for RLS varies depending on the form. Primary RLS is often treated with dopamine agonists, alpha 2 delta ligands, opioid agonists, and iron supplementation. Secondary RLS treatment may include ropinirole, levodopa, vitamin C and E supplementation, or exercise, particularly for those with end-stage renal disease. However, treatments primarily aim to manage symptoms due to the poor understanding of RLS etiology.