BACKGROUND Restless legs syndrome(RLS)is characterized by an urge to move with an unpleasant sensation in the lower limbs.RLS typically affects the legs.However,it can also affect several other body regions,such as th...BACKGROUND Restless legs syndrome(RLS)is characterized by an urge to move with an unpleasant sensation in the lower limbs.RLS typically affects the legs.However,it can also affect several other body regions,such as the arms,abdomen,face,neck,head,and genital area.There are only a few reports of the RLS variant affecting the head.AIM To assess the epidemiological,clinical,and other aspects of the RLS variant affecting the head.METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of 17 adult patients(>18 years)who met the RLS criteria and simultaneously experienced RLS-like symptoms in the head.RESULTS The median age at which symptoms appeared was 41.6 years.Males and females were equally affected(1.1:1).All 17 patients had uncomfortable sensations in the lower legs.Insomnia or disturbed sleep was the most common comorbidity(n=16,88.2%).However,headache was the most common presenting or primary symptom(n=10,70.5%).Dizziness or an abnormal sensation in the head was the second most common presenting symptom(5 patients,29.4%).Other presenting features were leg pain,backache,and generalized body pain.All patients responded favorably to dopaminergic medications.CONCLUSION If RLS-related unpleasant sensations and pain are felt in the head,they may be misinterpreted as headache,dizziness,or psychosomatic symptoms.RLS and headaches in a subset of patients may be two phenotypic manifestations of the same disorder.展开更多
Serotonin syndrome(SS)is a drug-induced clinical syndrome resulting from increased serotonergic activity in the central nervous system.Although more than seven decades have passed since the first description of SS,it ...Serotonin syndrome(SS)is a drug-induced clinical syndrome resulting from increased serotonergic activity in the central nervous system.Although more than seven decades have passed since the first description of SS,it is still an enigma in terms of terminology,clinical features,etiology,pathophysiology,diagnostic criteria,and therapeutic measures.The majority of SS cases have previously been reported by toxicology or psychiatry centers,particularly in people with mental illness.However,serotonergic medications are used for a variety of conditions other than mental illness.Serotonergic properties have been discovered in several new drugs,including over-the-counter medications.These days,cases are reported in non-toxicology centers,such as perioperative settings,neurology clinics,cardiology settings,gynecology settings,and pediatric clinics.Overdoses or poisonings of serotonergic agents constituted the majority of the cases observed in toxicology or psychiatry centers.Overdose or poisoning of serotonergic drugs is uncommon in other clinical settings.Patients may develop SS at therapeutic dosages.Moreover,these patients may continue to use serotonergic medications even if they develop mild to moderate SS due to several reasons.Thus,the clinical presentation(onset,severity,and clinical features)in such instances may not exactly match what toxicologists or psychiatrists observe in their respective settings.They produce considerable diversity in many aspects of SS.However,other experts discount these new developments in SS.Since SS is a potentially lethal illness,consensus is required on several concerns related to SS.展开更多
BACKGROUND Serotonin syndrome(SS)is an underdiagnosed drug-induced clinical syndrome resulting from the excess intrasynaptic concentration of serotonin.Very limited information is available about chronic SS.AIM To eva...BACKGROUND Serotonin syndrome(SS)is an underdiagnosed drug-induced clinical syndrome resulting from the excess intrasynaptic concentration of serotonin.Very limited information is available about chronic SS.AIM To evaluate the epidemiological,clinical,and other aspects of the insidious onset SS.METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 14 consecutive adult patients(>18 years)who had complaints for more than 6 wk at the time of consultation and met the Hunter criteria for SS.RESULTS The mean age was 41.1 years(range:21-61 years),with a male preponderance(64%).Although tremors were observed in all patients,this was a presenting complaint in only 43%of patients.Generalized body pain,insomnia,and restlessness were common presenting features(50%each).Other common clinical features were stiffness of the limbs(43%),diaphoresis(43%),gait disturbances(36%),bowel disturbances(36%),dizziness(29%),sexual dysfunctions(21%),incoordination(14%),and fatigue(14%)The mean duration of symptoms before the diagnosis of SS was 13.5±5.8 wk(range:6-24 wk).Amitriptyline was the most common drug(n=6,43%),followed by tramadol(n=5,36%)and sodium valproate(n=5,36%).All patients received cyproheptadine,a 5-hydroxytryptamine2A antagonist,as treatment and noted an excellent response CONCLUSION This study represents the largest study on chronic SS.We suggest that patients receiving serotonergic drugs should be physically examined for the presence of SS upon the development of new symptoms.展开更多
文摘BACKGROUND Restless legs syndrome(RLS)is characterized by an urge to move with an unpleasant sensation in the lower limbs.RLS typically affects the legs.However,it can also affect several other body regions,such as the arms,abdomen,face,neck,head,and genital area.There are only a few reports of the RLS variant affecting the head.AIM To assess the epidemiological,clinical,and other aspects of the RLS variant affecting the head.METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of 17 adult patients(>18 years)who met the RLS criteria and simultaneously experienced RLS-like symptoms in the head.RESULTS The median age at which symptoms appeared was 41.6 years.Males and females were equally affected(1.1:1).All 17 patients had uncomfortable sensations in the lower legs.Insomnia or disturbed sleep was the most common comorbidity(n=16,88.2%).However,headache was the most common presenting or primary symptom(n=10,70.5%).Dizziness or an abnormal sensation in the head was the second most common presenting symptom(5 patients,29.4%).Other presenting features were leg pain,backache,and generalized body pain.All patients responded favorably to dopaminergic medications.CONCLUSION If RLS-related unpleasant sensations and pain are felt in the head,they may be misinterpreted as headache,dizziness,or psychosomatic symptoms.RLS and headaches in a subset of patients may be two phenotypic manifestations of the same disorder.
文摘Serotonin syndrome(SS)is a drug-induced clinical syndrome resulting from increased serotonergic activity in the central nervous system.Although more than seven decades have passed since the first description of SS,it is still an enigma in terms of terminology,clinical features,etiology,pathophysiology,diagnostic criteria,and therapeutic measures.The majority of SS cases have previously been reported by toxicology or psychiatry centers,particularly in people with mental illness.However,serotonergic medications are used for a variety of conditions other than mental illness.Serotonergic properties have been discovered in several new drugs,including over-the-counter medications.These days,cases are reported in non-toxicology centers,such as perioperative settings,neurology clinics,cardiology settings,gynecology settings,and pediatric clinics.Overdoses or poisonings of serotonergic agents constituted the majority of the cases observed in toxicology or psychiatry centers.Overdose or poisoning of serotonergic drugs is uncommon in other clinical settings.Patients may develop SS at therapeutic dosages.Moreover,these patients may continue to use serotonergic medications even if they develop mild to moderate SS due to several reasons.Thus,the clinical presentation(onset,severity,and clinical features)in such instances may not exactly match what toxicologists or psychiatrists observe in their respective settings.They produce considerable diversity in many aspects of SS.However,other experts discount these new developments in SS.Since SS is a potentially lethal illness,consensus is required on several concerns related to SS.
文摘BACKGROUND Serotonin syndrome(SS)is an underdiagnosed drug-induced clinical syndrome resulting from the excess intrasynaptic concentration of serotonin.Very limited information is available about chronic SS.AIM To evaluate the epidemiological,clinical,and other aspects of the insidious onset SS.METHODS We retrospectively evaluated 14 consecutive adult patients(>18 years)who had complaints for more than 6 wk at the time of consultation and met the Hunter criteria for SS.RESULTS The mean age was 41.1 years(range:21-61 years),with a male preponderance(64%).Although tremors were observed in all patients,this was a presenting complaint in only 43%of patients.Generalized body pain,insomnia,and restlessness were common presenting features(50%each).Other common clinical features were stiffness of the limbs(43%),diaphoresis(43%),gait disturbances(36%),bowel disturbances(36%),dizziness(29%),sexual dysfunctions(21%),incoordination(14%),and fatigue(14%)The mean duration of symptoms before the diagnosis of SS was 13.5±5.8 wk(range:6-24 wk).Amitriptyline was the most common drug(n=6,43%),followed by tramadol(n=5,36%)and sodium valproate(n=5,36%).All patients received cyproheptadine,a 5-hydroxytryptamine2A antagonist,as treatment and noted an excellent response CONCLUSION This study represents the largest study on chronic SS.We suggest that patients receiving serotonergic drugs should be physically examined for the presence of SS upon the development of new symptoms.
