Evaluation of affective temperament profile and levels of depressive symptoms and anxiety in patients with restless legs syndrome

Abstract

Purpose Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a sleep-related sensorimotor disorder associated with mood and anxiety disorders. Although affective temperaments are considered subclinical manifestations of mood disorders (MDs), to date, no previous research has explored the relationship between affective temperaments and RLS. We aimed to evaluate affective temperaments, depressive symptoms, and anxiety among newly diagnosed, drug-naive patients with RLS. Additionally, our study identified possible associations between clinical variables and affective temperaments, depressive symptoms, and anxiety profiles in this group. Methods The study included 74 patients with RLS and 90 healthy volunteers. All participants performed the Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris, and San Diego Autoquestionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, and Hamilton Anxiety Inventory. Results Temperament, depression, and anxiety scores in patients with RLS were significantly higher than those in healthy controls (p <= 0.05). Linear regression analysis showed that anxious temperament scores were positively related to longer disease duration (beta = 0.658, p = 0.000), whereas disease severity (as measured by the International RLS Study Group Rating Scale) (beta = 0.447, p = 0.006) and lower educational status (beta = - 0.803, p = 0.008) correlated with the anxiety profile. Conclusions Results suggested that higher scores on the affective temperament, depression, and anxiety scales indicate subclinical MDs and psychiatric comorbidities in RLS. Therefore, exploring the predictors of mood and anxiety disorders in patients with RLS may improve treatment strategies and clinical outcomes.