Turkish Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 2011 , Vol 57 , Num 4

Pregabalin in the Treatment of Primary and Secondary Restless Legs Syndrome: Three Case Reports

Saliha Karatay 1 ,Sibel Cağlar Okur 2 ,Kadir Yıldırım 1
1 Atatürk Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Erzurum
2 Atatürk Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı, Erzurum, Türkiye
DOI : 10.4274/tftr.27122

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sensorimotor disease characterized by a sense of discomfort in the legs and involuntary movements of the legs before falling asleep and while resting. Dopamine receptor agonists, L-dopa, dopamine agonists, opioids, benzodiazepines, and gabapentin are commonly used in the treatment of RLS. However, a treatment model that is most effective for RLS has not yet been defined. In the present case series, the successful results of administering pregabalin for neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) are presented in three patients with RLS. The first two cases were considered secondary RLS, whereas the 3rd case was considered idiopathic RLS. Iron deficiency anemia and FMS accompanied RLS in the 1st case (42- year-old female). Both FMS and RLS symptoms were improved with pregabalin. The 2nd case (38-year-old female) had type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic neuropathy. Both the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy and RLS were relieved with pregabalin. The 3rd case (48-year-old female) was  idiopathic, and RLS has been completely taken under control with pregabalin treatment. In conclusion, pregabalin may be a different treatment option for both idiopathic and secondary RLS. 

Keywords : Pregabalin, restless legs syndrome, treatment, neuropathicpai