Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adults with Restless Legs Syndrome

26% of patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS) showed symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), compared to 6% of insomnia patients and 5% of controls.

• RLS patients had a higher mean score on the Brown Attention-Deficit Disorder Scale than insomnia patients and controls (37 vs. 24 and 21, respectively).
• RLS patients exhibiting ADD symptoms reported greater severity of leg discomfort compared to those without ADD symptoms (26 vs. 21).
• All subjects with a Brown ADD score greater than 40 reported ADD symptoms in multiple settings, with a majority experiencing symptoms since childhood.
• No significant differences were found in quality of life or levels of anxiety and depression among RLS, insomnia, and control groups for those with a Brown ADD score greater than 40.

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