Objective: The objective of this investigation was to assess the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and examine their associations with serum iron levels among individuals diagnosed with restless legs syndrome (RLS).
Methods: Clinical data was collected using standardized self-administered questionnaires, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) for evaluating sleep quality, the Maudsley Obsessive Compulsive Inventory (MOCI) for assessing symptoms of OCD, and the Adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale (ASRS) for evaluating symptoms of ADHD. Additionally, individuals diagnosed with RLS were evaluated using the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) RLS severity scale. This assessment was conducted within both a control group comprising 51 individuals diagnosed with RLS and a counterpart group consisting of 51 healthy subjects Serum iron and ferritin levels of RLS patients were recorded from the hospital database.
Results: A statistically noteworthy distinction was discerned in the incidence of symptoms related to OCD and ADHD within individuals diagnosed with RLS (P values=.039, .046, respectively). The RLS group exhibited a substantial impact on sleep quality in comparison to the control group (P = .0001). Conversely, there was no discernible difference in serum iron and ferritin levels between the RLS and control groups.
Conclusion: These findings suggest that OCD and ADHD symptoms are common among adult patients with RLS, independent of iron stores. This suggests that RLS, OCD, and ADHD share a common etiopathogenesis with dopamine and serotonin dysfunction.
Cite this article as: Deveci Ş, Kabeloğlu V, Atay Ö. The interplay of restless legs syndrome with obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and iron levels: A comprehensive exploration. Neuropsychiatr Invest. 2024;62(1):9-14.