2008 Volume 20 Issue 3 Pages 335-340
Periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) are common sleep disorders. PLMS is frequently associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS). Ninety-three consecutive patients with suspected OSAS who underwent polysomnography (PSG) from November 2006 until May 2007 at the department of Otorhinolaryngology at Juntendo University School of Medicine were analyzed. Among them, 4 patients (4.3%) had PLMS associated with electroencephalographic arousal and needed medical therapy (clonazepam). Two of the PLMS patients had already used continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for moderate to severe OSAS but their CPAP usage of>4 hours per night was 42.9% associated with PLMS. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and CPAP usage were compared before and after medical treatment. All PLMS patients also had RLS, and clonazepam was effective in reducing ESS and symptoms of RLS and in improving sleep quality and subjective sleepiness. CPAP usage showed significant augmentation to 76.4% in 2 CPAP-treated patients. PLMS is a common finding in OSAS and it may become evident or increase in CPAP therapy. The association of OSAS and PLMS has been reported in the literature for many years within sleep medicine. This report reminds us of the importance of all PSG indices.
