NeuroTalk Support Groups - Celiac Disease and Restless Leg Syndrome

Quote:

Dig Dis Sci. 2009 Sep 3. [Epub ahead of print]
Celiac Disease Is Associated with Restless Legs Syndrome.
Weinstock LB, Walters AS, Mullin GE, Duntley SP.
Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, 11525 Olde Cabin Road, St. Louis, MO, 63141, USA, lw@gidoctor.net.
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.
PMID: 19731029 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19731029

Quote:

Sleep Med. 2009 Aug;10(7):763-5. Epub 2009 Jan 12.Click here to read Links
Celiac disease as a possible cause for low serum ferritin in patients with restless legs syndrome.
Manchanda S, Davies CR, Picchietti D.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Medicine, 506 S. Mathews Avenue, Suite 190, Urbana, IL 61801, USA. smanchan@illinois.edu
OBJECTIVE: To describe celiac disease (CD) as a possible cause for low serum ferritin in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS). BACKGROUND: Low iron stores have been found to be a risk factor for RLS with serum ferritin levels less than 45-50 ng/mL associated with increased severity of RLS. It has become routine clinical practice to test serum ferritin in the initial assessment of RLS. CD is a common genetic disorder that can cause iron deficiency. METHODS: Consecutive case series of four patients with RLS and serum ferritin below 25 ng/mL, who had positive screening tests for celiac disease. RESULTS: We report four patients who had serum ferritin < 12 ng/mL and positive screening tests for CD. All had CD confirmed by duodenal biopsy and response to a gluten-free diet. RLS symptoms improved in all four, with two able to discontinue RLS medication and two responding without medication. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with RLS and low serum ferritin who do not have an obvious cause for iron deficiency, we suggest looking for CD by simple, inexpensive serologic testing. Diagnosis and treatment of CD is likely to improve the outcome for RLS, as well as identify individuals who are at risk for the significant long-term complications of CD.
PMID: 19138881 [PubMed - in process

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19138881

B12 deficiency can cause RLS, as well. It did for me, and again, there may the underlying cause of gluten sensitivity.