ENTtoday
  • Home
  • COVID-19
  • Practice Focus
    • Allergy
    • Facial Plastic/Reconstructive
    • Head and Neck
    • Laryngology
    • Otology/Neurotology
    • Pediatric
    • Rhinology
    • Sleep Medicine
  • Departments
    • Issue Archive
    • TRIO Best Practices
      • Allergy
      • Facial Plastic/Reconstructive
      • Head and Neck
      • Laryngology
      • Otology/Neurotology
      • Pediatric
      • Rhinology
      • Sleep Medicine
    • Career Development
    • Case of the Month
    • Everyday Ethics
    • Health Policy
    • Legal Matters
    • Letter From the Editor
    • Medical Education
    • Online Exclusives
    • Practice Management
    • Resident Focus
    • Rx: Wellness
    • Special Reports
    • Tech Talk
    • Viewpoint
    • What’s Your O.R. Playlist?
  • Literature Reviews
    • Allergy
    • Facial Plastic/Reconstructive
    • Head and Neck
    • Laryngology
    • Otology/Neurotology
    • Pediatric
    • Rhinology
    • Sleep Medicine
  • Events
    • Featured Events
    • TRIO Meetings
  • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Editorial Board
    • Triological Society
    • Advertising Staff
    • Subscribe
  • Advertise
    • Place an Ad
    • Classifieds
    • Rate Card
  • Search

Otolaryngology Practice Parameter Update: Restless Legs Syndrome

by Mary Beth Nierengarten • December 2, 2012

  • Tweet
  • Email
Print-Friendly Version

Dr. Shangold’s discomfort is warranted. According to Dr. Aurora, one concern raised during the evaluation of the literature on the dopamine agonists was their long-term use. Studies have shown that patients on dopamine agonists can exhibit behavioral disturbances over time, such as pathologic gambling, shopping, eating or hypersexuality. These medications can also lead to augmentation, a worsening of the RLS symptoms. The concern over this potential long-term adverse effect is briefly touched on in the conclusion of the practice parameters. The authors state, “It is worth noting that the late development of augmentation (even after one year of continuous therapy on dopaminergic agents) remains a significant concern, and patients need to be monitored throughout therapy for this particular side effect.”

You Might Also Like

No related posts.

Explore This Issue
December 2012

Dr. Wardrop highlighted the need for otolaryngologists to be aware of these potential complications. “Even if you don’t treat someone for RLS, you need to be aware of the side effects of these medications,” she said.

For Richard P. Allen, PhD, research associate in the department of neurology at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and a member of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG), recognition that the short-acting dopamine agonists ropinirole and ramipexole make RLS worse when used as chronic treatment over a period of years is a major advancement in treatment that was not adequately addressed in the practice parameter. He said gabapentin enacarbil and rotigotine are now better options for first-line treatment of RLS. “These should be seriously considered to avoid the significant worsening of RLS seen with long-term treatment using the current short-acting dopamine agonists.”

Dr. Wardrop agreed that gabapentin enacarbil and rotigotine may turn out to be better first-line treatment choices for RLS. However, she emphasized that both medications are relatively new, implying that longer-term evidence is needed before a standard recommendation can be given to use these drugs as first-line treatment.

Dr. Shangold pointed out that in practice many otolaryngologists already choose gabapentin enacarbil as first-line treatment because it is more familiar to them and carries fewer side effects. Use of rotigotine may also increase now that it has once again been approved by the FDA and is back on the market, he said.

click for large version
Current Recommendations for the Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome

Potential Application to General ENT Practice

Although most otolaryngologists who do not also practice sleep medicine may never see patients who complain of RLS, most do treat patients for sleep apnea, and some of these patients may have problems with RLS or PLMD that will need to be treated along with the sleep apnea.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 | Single Page

Filed Under: Departments, Medical Education, Practice Focus, Sleep Medicine Tagged With: restless legs syndrome, RLS, sleep apnea, sleep disorders, treatmentIssue: December 2012

You Might Also Like:

The Triological SocietyENTtoday is a publication of The Triological Society.

The Laryngoscope
Ensure you have all the latest research at your fingertips; Subscribe to The Laryngoscope today!

Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology
Open access journal in otolaryngology – head and neck surgery is currently accepting submissions.

Classifieds

View the classified ads »

TRIO Best Practices

View the TRIO Best Practices »

Top Articles for Residents

  • Do Training Programs Give Otolaryngology Residents the Necessary Tools to Do Productive Research?
  • Why More MDs, Medical Residents Are Choosing to Pursue Additional Academic Degrees
  • What Physicians Need to Know about Investing Before Hiring a Financial Advisor
  • Tips to Help You Regain Your Sense of Self
  • Should USMLE Step 1 Change from Numeric Score to Pass/Fail?
  • Popular this Week
  • Most Popular
  • Most Recent
    • The Dramatic Rise in Tongue Tie and Lip Tie Treatment
    • Second Victims: The Effects of a Medical Error on Physicians Can Be Devastating
    • Is Middle Ear Pressure Affected by Continuous Positive Airway Pressure Use?
    • Keeping Watch for Skin Cancers on the Head and Neck
    • Complications for When Physicians Change a Maiden Name
    • The Dramatic Rise in Tongue Tie and Lip Tie Treatment
    • Rating Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Severity: How Do Two Common Instruments Compare?
    • Vertigo in the Elderly: What Does It Mean?
    • What Happens to Medical Students Who Don’t Match?
    • Complications for When Physicians Change a Maiden Name
    • Qualitative Research Shows How Patients Feel About Quality-of-Life Issues
    • How to: A Dynamic Endonasal Columellar Strut Placement
    • Second Victims: The Effects of a Medical Error on Physicians Can Be Devastating
    • Advanced Degrees Can Help Otolaryngologists Better Understand the Business of Medicine
    • Laser Laryngeal Surgery Is Safe Under THRIVE

Polls

Have you ever been, or have you ever known someone who has been a second victim?

View Results

Loading ... Loading ...
  • Polls Archive
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Preferences

Visit: The Triological Society • The Laryngoscope • Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology

Wiley
© 2023 The Triological Society. All Rights Reserved.
ISSN 1559-4939