Treatment of restless legs syndrome with a pump; efficacy and complications.

OBJECTIVES: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) has a prevalence of 2.5%-15% in the general population. For those who suffer from a medically refractory RLS, intrathecal morphine treatment has been shown to be effective. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate efficacy, complications and side effects in patients treated over several years with an implantable pump. A comparison was done to a group of patients treated with a similar pump system due to spasticity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The charts of ten patients with severe or very severe RLS have been reviewed. These patients have received an intrathecal drug delivery system during 2000-2016. To compare the rate of complications, a control group of 20 patients treated with intrathecal baclofen due to spasticity was included in the study. Their time of treatment corresponded to the RLS patients. RESULTS: The severity of symptoms related to RLS decreased significantly after treatment. Doses required ranged from 68 to 140 µg/d. Two cases of side effects were detected; one case with nausea and dizziness and one case with headache and fatigue. The rate of mechanical, infectious and other complications was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: In light of the decrease in symptom severity and the low rate of side effects, intrathecal morphine can be considered an adequate treatment for those suffering from medically refractory RLS. The occurrence of complications did not differ between subjects with RLS and spasticity.