Therapy satisfaction and willingness-to-pay in Polish patients with restless legs syndrome

Abstract Purpose Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a serious burden for patients which can be measured in economic terms by assessing the money spent on therapy and the willingness to pay. The aim of this study was to assess whether or not patients feel satisfied with the therapy relative to the money they spent on the treatment, and to assess patients’ willingness to pay for therapy that fully eliminates all RLS symptoms. Methods Adult subjects with RLS confirmed by actual international consensus criteria, a positive RLS-Diagnostic Index (RLS-DI) score, and clinical examinations and observations were assessed to generate a disease severity index. An original set of questions was used to collect data on patient satisfaction with therapy and their willingness to pay. Results Among 100 subjects, 27% were not satisfied with therapy; this subgroup was characterized by lower indices of severity of the disease. Patients spent approximately 3% of their income in treating RLS. They are willing to pay up to 8.3% of their income to eliminate symptoms. Conclusions The cost of RLS therapy is a significant part of patient expenditure. Nevertheless, RLS may at times remain so troublesome for patients that they are willing to spend more on therapy to eliminate symptoms.

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The Safety and Efficacy of Pregabalin Add-on Therapy in Restless Legs Syndrome Patients

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2021.786408 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Hyoeun Bae ◽

Yong Won Cho ◽

Keun Tae Kim ◽

Richard P. Allen ◽

Christopher J. Earley

Keyword(s):

Side Effects ◽

Restless Legs Syndrome ◽

Severity Index ◽

Efficacy And Safety ◽

Restless Legs ◽

Persistent Symptoms ◽

Before And After ◽

Severity Index Score ◽

Irls Score ◽

Symptomatic Control

Pregabalin is increasingly being used as a first-line treatment for symptomatic control of restless legs syndrome (RLS). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pregabalin as add-on therapy in RLS patients already taking dopamine agonists (DA) but still in need of further management. Patients with idiopathic RLS were enrolled, and all had already been prescribed DA for at least 3 months but still had either persistent symptoms, side effects, or comorbid insomnia. An initial dose of 75 mg pregabalin was begun, adjusted as needed, and maintained at a stable dose for 4 weeks, followed by observation for a total of 8 weeks. RLS symptoms and insomnia scores were evaluated before and after add-on pregabalin treatment. Patients were monitored for side effects that could be attributed to pregabalin. A total of 32 RLS patients were enrolled, and 20 subjects remained until the endpoint. After the pregabalin add-on, the mean IRLS score showed significant improvement compared to the baseline (p < 0.001). The insomnia severity index score also improved (p = 0.036), and no serious adverse effects were observed. Our preliminary data suggests the potential for pregabalin as an add-on therapy to DA with regards to both efficacy and safety in patients who have inadequate RLS improvement.

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The effect of electroacupuncture on hemodialysis patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS): study protocol for a randomized crossover trial

10.21203/rs.3.rs-32357/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Jia-Ming Chen ◽

Ping-Fang Chiu ◽

Yu-Jun Chang ◽

Po-Chi Hsu ◽

Chia-Chu Chang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Restless Legs Syndrome ◽

Rating Scale ◽

Severity Index ◽

Hemodialysis Patients ◽

Restless Legs ◽

The Subject ◽

Group 2 ◽

And Control ◽

The Relationship ◽

Registration Date

Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) in hemodialysis patients with restless leg syndrome (RLS) by heart rate variability (HRV) monitor. Methods112 subjects who were hemodialysis patients with RLS will be divided into 2 groups: experimental and control. Each subject will receive the treatment relevant to their group 2 times a week for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks of treatment the subject will enter a 2-week washout period, after which the subjects will switch groups. Measurements will include HRV recordings, International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLSRS) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). DiscussionThis study is the first investigation to analyze the relationship between EA and the change of HRV by an objective monitor. If the findings of the current trial are positive, this study will also help support an effective, safe and cheap approach to clinical treatment of this challenging disorder, help foster improved understanding the relationship between RLS and HRV, and ultimately contribute to elucidate the mechanisms of EA. Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04356794; registration date: April 22, 2020.

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