Restless leg syndrome in children with celiac disease

Özet

Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy triggered by ingestionof dietary gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. The aim of the studywas to determine the prevalence of restless leg syndrome (RLS) in childrenwith CD and to investigate the associated factors for RLS. Totally 494 childrenwith the ages ranging between 11-18 years were included. Among those,226 were under follow-up with CD and constituted the study group whileother 268 children did not have any symptoms or signs associated with CDand established the control group. The demographic data, educational statusand routine laboratory data of children including complete blood count,ferritin, vitamin B12, foliate and 25 (OH) vitamin D levels were recorded.The RLS prevalence and associated symptoms of children were defined witha questionnaire. There was no statistically significant difference between the2 groups regarding the age and gender. Moreover, RLS prevalence was alsosimilar in both groups (3.5% vs 3.0% in CD and control groups, respectively,p=0.98). However, interestingly, in CD group, the mean age of the patients atthe onset of RLS symptoms was statistically significantly younger (p=0.02) andthe disease was more severe (p=0.026) than the control group. In correlationanalysis in CD group, the RLS severity significantly negatively correlatedwith serum ferritin, folic acid or 25 (OH) vitamin D levels in Celiac diseasegroup. In this study we did not determine an increased prevalence of RLSin children with CD. However, in CD group, the age at the onset of RLSsymptoms was significantly younger and the disease was more severe in CDgroup compared with the control cases.