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Celiac Disease Is Associated with Restless Legs Syndrome

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Abstract

Purpose

Celiac disease may be associated with restless legs syndrome (RLS) because of an association with iron deficiency. Often, RLS negatively affects quality of life but may remain undiagnosed. This study evaluated the association between celiac disease and RLS.

Results

The incidence of RLS among 85 patients with celiac disease was 35%, with a prevalence of 25% compared with 10% of spouses (P < 0.02). In 79% of patients with RLS and celiac disease, neuromuscular symptoms began during or after onset of gastrointestinal symptoms. Iron deficiency was present in 40% of celiac patients with active RLS compared with 6% of patients without RLS (P < 0.001). After 6 months of a gluten-free diet, RLS symptoms improved in 50% of 28 patients.

Conclusion

Screening for celiac disease in patients with RLS is important since this commonly overlooked silent disease may be a correctable factor for some patients with idiopathic RLS.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Barry H. Cohen, PhD (Director, MA Program in Psychology; New York University; 6 Washington Place, New York, New York 10003), for assisting with statistical analysis. Editorial assistance was provided under the direction of the authors by MedThink Communications with support from Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Presented at the American College of Gastroenterology annual scientific meeting, 3–8 October 2008.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 11525 Olde Cabin Road, St. Louis, MO, 63141, USA

    Leonard B. Weinstock

  2. Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA

    Arthur S. Walters

  3. Division of Gastroenterology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA

    Gerard E. Mullin

  4. Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Stephen P. Duntley

Authors
  1. Leonard B. Weinstock
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  2. Arthur S. Walters
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  3. Gerard E. Mullin
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  4. Stephen P. Duntley
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Leonard B. Weinstock.

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Disclosures

Dr. Weinstock is on the speaker’s bureau for Salix Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Walters has received research funding from the National Institutes of Health; Xenoport Inc., Schwarz Pharma, and Kyowa Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Dr. Walters has received research funding and is on the speaker’s bureau of GlaxoSmithKline and Boehringer-Ingelheim. Dr. Mullen: none. Dr. Duntley: none.

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Weinstock, L.B., Walters, A.S., Mullin, G.E. et al. Celiac Disease Is Associated with Restless Legs Syndrome. Dig Dis Sci 55, 1667–1673 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-009-0943-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-009-0943-9

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