Faculty mentor/PI email address
pittonrissardo-jamir@cooperhealth.edu
Keywords
Restless legs syndrome, restlessness, neuromyelitis, NMSOD, aquaporin, prevalence
Date of Presentation
5-6-2026 12:00 AM
Poster Abstract
Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is increasingly recognized in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), yet published prevalence estimates remain highly variable, largely because of small sample sizes and methodological heterogeneity. We sought to estimate the pooled prevalence of RLS in NMOSD using published observational studies. Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed was performed using the terms “restless legs syndrome” AND “neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder”, identifying all original studies reporting RLS prevalence in NMOSD. Seven studies (2016–2026) met inclusion criteria. Study‑level data on RLS events and NMOSD sample size were extracted. A proportion‑weighted fixed‑effect meta‑analysis was performed. Pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a Wald method. Results: Across 7 studies encompassing 357 patients with NMOSD, 83 cases of RLS were identified. The pooled prevalence of RLS was 23.2% (95% CI 18.9–27.6%; I2=0%). Individual study prevalence ranged from 0% to 60.7%, with higher rates typically observed in prospective, sleep‑focused cohorts. Studies including patients with longer disease duration and greater disability tended to report higher RLS prevalence. The weighted mean age of NMOSD patients was 43.3 ± 12.3 years, 85.3% were female, and the overall mean EDSS was approximately 2.4 ± 1.5. Conclusion: substantial prevalence and marked inter‑study variability of RLS in NMOSD underscore the importance of standardized diagnostic approaches and routine screening, particularly among patients with greater disability or prominent sleep complaints.
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences | Nervous System Diseases
Included in
Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Restless Legs Syndrome in Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta‑analysis
Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is increasingly recognized in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), yet published prevalence estimates remain highly variable, largely because of small sample sizes and methodological heterogeneity. We sought to estimate the pooled prevalence of RLS in NMOSD using published observational studies. Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed was performed using the terms “restless legs syndrome” AND “neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder”, identifying all original studies reporting RLS prevalence in NMOSD. Seven studies (2016–2026) met inclusion criteria. Study‑level data on RLS events and NMOSD sample size were extracted. A proportion‑weighted fixed‑effect meta‑analysis was performed. Pooled prevalence estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a Wald method. Results: Across 7 studies encompassing 357 patients with NMOSD, 83 cases of RLS were identified. The pooled prevalence of RLS was 23.2% (95% CI 18.9–27.6%; I2=0%). Individual study prevalence ranged from 0% to 60.7%, with higher rates typically observed in prospective, sleep‑focused cohorts. Studies including patients with longer disease duration and greater disability tended to report higher RLS prevalence. The weighted mean age of NMOSD patients was 43.3 ± 12.3 years, 85.3% were female, and the overall mean EDSS was approximately 2.4 ± 1.5. Conclusion: substantial prevalence and marked inter‑study variability of RLS in NMOSD underscore the importance of standardized diagnostic approaches and routine screening, particularly among patients with greater disability or prominent sleep complaints.