Many cases of restless legs syndrome (or one of its variants) are idiopathic. However, it may also be related to the presence of another condition. Treatment of an underlying cause can result in improvement in nocturnal symptoms.
Patient selection: restless legs syndrome or a variant
More common causes include:
(1) iron deficiency
(2) chronic kidney disease
(3) drugs (opioids, enzalutamide, ziprasidone)
(4) Parkinson's disease
(5) multiple sclerosis
(6) spinal cord disorder
(7) hypothyroidism
(8) pregnancy, including preeclampsia
There are numerous other causes reported less often, including:
(1) hereditary genetic disorders (DNAJC12 deficiency, Alport, other)
(2) epilepsy
(3) migraine
(4) autoimmune disorders (SLE, psoriasis, other)
(5) vitamin D deficiency
(6) cirrhosis
(7) diabetes mellitus
(8) stroke
(9) idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
(10) mast cell activation syndrome
