Effects of Idiopathic Restless Leg Syndrome on Intima-Media Thickness of Carotid Artery: A Case Control Study

Mohamad Ghazanfari  Hashemi; Mahsa Vafaei  Mastanabad; Maryam  Alaei; Mohammad Ali  Kaviani; Ali  Asadifar; Rahim  Momivand; Helia  Helali; Meadeh Ghazanfari  Hashemi; Marjan  Gholami; Seyedeh Nooshin  Miratashi Yazdi

doi:10.18502/fbt.v11i4.16510

Mohamad Ghazanfari Hashemi Cancer Institute, Department of Radiology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mahsa Vafaei Mastanabad Neurosurgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Maryam Alaei School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti Medical University, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Ali Kaviani Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Ali Asadifar Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
Rahim Momivand Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Department, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
Helia Helali Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti Medical University, Tehran, Iran
Meadeh Ghazanfari Hashemi School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
Marjan Gholami Department of Pharmacy, Islamic Azad University Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Tehran, Ira
Seyedeh Nooshin Miratashi Yazdi Advanced Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/fbt.v11i4.16510

Keywords: Restless Legs Syndrome; Intima-Media Thickness; Carotid Artery Ultrasound.

Abstract

Purpose: Restless legs syndrome is claimed to be associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases. Intima-media thickness has been reported to be the most valuable surrogate marker and predictor of atherosclerosis progression and upcoming cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between restless legs syndrome and intima-media thickness of the carotid artery.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, a total of 23 patients with restless legs syndrome without other known risk factors of cardiovascular diseases were evaluated with regard to the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery by employing a high-resolution B-mode ultrasound study. The findings of the ultrasound study between the case and the control group were compared and statistically analyzed.

Results: Intima-media thickness was revealed to be of a lower value in subjects with restless legs syndrome (0.79 ± 0.10) compared to the control group (0.88 ± 0.13). Also, our study showed that older age and the presence of hypertension directly correlates with intima-media thickness.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that restless legs syndrome is associated with a lower intima-media thickness.