Clinical Decision-Making: Restless Legs Syndrome and Dementia in Older Adults

Kathy Richards; Katherine Carroll Britt; Norma Cuellar; Yanyan Wang; Janet Morrison

doi:10.1016/j.cnur.2021.02.005

Clinical Decision-Making: Restless Legs Syndrome and Dementia in Older Adults

Nurs Clin North Am. 2021 Jun;56(2):265-274. doi: 10.1016/j.cnur.2021.02.005.

Authors

Kathy Richards¹, Katherine Carroll Britt², Norma Cuellar³, Yanyan Wang⁴, Janet Morrison⁵

Affiliations

¹ The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing, 1710 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78712, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/kathyrichards2.
² The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing, 1712 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78712, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/KatherineCBritt1.
³ The University of Alabama, University Boulevard, 650 University Boulevard East, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, USA. Electronic address: ncuellar@ua.edu.
⁴ The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing, 1712 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78712, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/yanw06689982.
⁵ The University of Texas at Austin, School of Nursing, 1712 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78712, USA. Electronic address: https://twitter.com/phdb4ss.

PMID: 34023120
DOI: 10.1016/j.cnur.2021.02.005

Abstract

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), one of the more prevalent sleep disturbances among older adults, impacts quality of life. Patients with dementia are at high risk for developing RLS and may be unable to describe their symptoms. Often underdiagnosed, RLS can contribute to discomfort, pain, nighttime agitation, disturbed sleep, and falls. Clinical assessment is crucial and should include a thorough evaluation with input from the patient and family, deprescribing medication if possible, and consideration of common sleep-disturbing factors. Evidence-based treatment in this population is limited; overall focus should center on relieving discomfort while identifying and treating bothersome sleep symptoms.

Keywords: Agitation; Alzheimer disease; Dementia; Restless legs syndrome; Sleep.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Decision Making*
Dementia / complications*
Dementia / epidemiology
Dementia / psychology
Female
Humans
Male
Restless Legs Syndrome / epidemiology
Restless Legs Syndrome / etiology*
Restless Legs Syndrome / psychology
Sleep Wake Disorders / epidemiology
Sleep Wake Disorders / etiology
Sleep Wake Disorders / psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires