Varicose Veins Associated with Restless Legs Syndrome
Dr Karl A Ekbom proposed venous disease as a cause of restless leg syndrome (RLS) in 1944. A study by CA Hayes et al from north Texas in 2008 examined the effect of endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) treatment in patients with concurrent restless leg syndrome and duplex ultrasound proven superficial venous insufficiency (SVI).
Thirty five patients with moderate to very severe RLS and duplex proven SVI completed an International RLS rating scale (IRLS) questionnaire and underwent standard ultrasound examination to objectively measure the baseline severity of their conditions. They were separated into two groups, operative and non operative. The operative cohort underwent EVLA of refluxing superficial axial veins and ultrasound guided sclerotherapy (UGS) of the remaining associated varicose veins with foamed sodium tetradecyl sulphate. All patients then completed a follow up IRLS questionnaire and the scores were compared.
The EVLA treated group decreased the mean IRLS score by 21.4 points from 26.9 to 5.5.
A total of 89% of patients enjoyed a decrease in their score of greater than or equal to 15 points. 84% of patients indicated their symptoms had largely or completely been alleviated.
Not all people with restless leg syndrome have varicose veins, and not all people with varicose veins have restless legs, however if you have both , treatment of the venous incompetence may significantly relieve symptoms.
