Rinsho Shinkeigaku (Clinical Neurology)

Case Report

Increased frequency and spread of restlessness as the early manifestation of Parkinson's disease in a woman with restless legs syndrome

Keisuke Suzuki, M.D., Ph.D.1), Takeo Matsubara, M.D.1), Masayuki Miyamoto, M.D., Ph.D.2), Hiroaki Fujita, M.D., Ph.D.1), Toshiki Nakamura, M.D., Ph.D.3) and Koichi Hirata, M.D., Ph.D.1)

1)Department of Neurology, Dokkyo Medical University
2)Department of Clinical Medicine for Nursing, Dokkyo Medical University, School of Nursing
3)Department of Neurology, Rehabilitation Amakusa Hospital

A 57-year-old woman had been suffered from insomnia due to restlessness and abnormal sensation of the left side of the body for 33 years. Since the preceding year of the first visit frequency of the symptoms increased, and the abnormal sensation was spread to the right leg. Her daughter had restless legs syndrome (RLS) since age 20. Neurological examination showed no abnormality. Laboratory test results showed normal ferritin levels. There was no renal dysfunction or anemia. A diagnosis of RLS was made, and her symptoms responded well to pramipexole treatment. However, the patient developed right shoulder pain and right-hand tremor one year and one and a half year after the first visit, respectively. Based on clinical findings and the findings of dopamine transporter scan and cardiac 123I-MIBG scintigraphy, the patient was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD). Careful observation of changes in RLS symptoms is required as an increased frequency and spread of symptoms of RLS could be the early manifestation of PD.
Full Text of this Article in Japanese PDF (552K)

(CLINICA NEUROL, 58: 617|621, 2018)
key words: restless legs syndrome, Parkinson's disease, a spread of RLS symptoms, family history of RLS

(Received: 11-Apr-18)