RLS Diagnosis
Despite efforts to establish standard criteria, the clinical diagnosis of RLS is difficult to make. Doctors rely largely on patients' descriptions of symptoms and information from their medical history, including:
- past medical problems
- family history
- current medications
Patients may be asked about frequency, duration, and intensity of symptoms as well as their:
- tendency toward daytime sleep patterns and sleepiness
- disturbance of sleep
- daytime function
If a patient's history is suggestive of RLS, laboratory tests may be performed to rule out other conditions and support the diagnosis of RLS. Blood tests should be performed to exclude:
- anemia
- decreased iron stores
- diabetes
- renal dysfunction
Tests
Electromyography and nerve conduction studies may also be recommended to measure electrical activity in muscles and nerves, and Doppler sonography may be used to evaluate muscle activity in the legs. Such tests can document:
- any accompanying damage or disease in nerves/nerve roots
- other leg-related movement disorders
Negative results from tests may indicate that the diagnosis is RLS.
In some cases, sleep studies such as polysomnography are undertaken to identify the presence of PLMD.
Children
RLS diagnosis is difficult with children because the doctor relies heavily on the patient's explanations of symptoms, which, given the nature of the symptoms of RLS, can be difficult for a child to describe. The syndrome can sometimes be misdiagnosed as growing pains or ADD.
