The Effect of Pramipexole on Impulse Control and Other Behavioral
Disorders in Idiopathic Restless Legs Syndrome
Abstract
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is characterized by unpleasant sensations
in the legs that occur or worsen during rest and/or in the evening.
Pramipexole is an effective treatment option for RLS. While dopamine
agonists are associated with impulse control and other behavioral
disorders (ICBD) in Parkinson’s disease, there is limited consensus on
their relationship with such disorders in RLS. This study aimed to
evaluate the association between pramipexole treatment and ICBD in RLS
patients. In this case-control cross-sectional study, ICBD were assessed
using the PD-QUIP questionnaire and the Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11
Short Form (BIS-11 SF). Patients diagnosed with idiopathic RLS using the
International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group diagnostic criteria,
aged over 18, without psychiatric disorders, and treated with
pramipexole for at least one month, were included. Untreated RLS
patients served as controls. The study included 108 patients, with
50.9% receiving pramipexole treatment. The BIS-11 SF total score was
31.79 ± 7.32 in the pramipexole-treated group and 30.35 ± 6.73 in the
untreated group (p=0.324). No significant differences were found in
total or subscale scores (attention: p=0.232, non-planning: p=0.695,
motor impulsivity: p=0.498). Based on PD-QUIP results, ICBD were
detected in 37% (N=40) of patients, with punding in 12 (11.1%),
compulsive eating in 9 (8.3%), and hypersexuality in 1 patient (0.9%).
The frequency of ICBD did not differ significantly between groups
(p=4.90). These findings suggest that pramipexole treatment in RLS does
not significantly affect ICBD development. Large-scale studies are
warranted to further explore the impact and causality of pramipexole on
ICBD.