0672 Real Time Assessment Of Blood Pressure Changes During Periodic Limb Movements In Sleep Of Patients With Restless Legs Syndrome

Abstract Introduction Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a condition thought to occur in 2.5 to 15% of the U.S. population. Studies suggest that 60–70% of physician diagnosed RLS patients experience Periodic Limb Movements in Sleep (PLMs). Further, evidence suggests that factors that cause frequent and chronic sleep disruptions may contribute to hypertension, stroke and heart disease. We evaluated the relationship between PLMs and changes in blood pressure (BP) in patients with RLS. Methods Ten patients ages 37–66 meeting the International RLS Study Group criteria for moderate to severe RLS underwent polysomnography using a PSG acquisition system (SOMNOmedics America, Inc.) that allows for real time BP derivations and measuring the anterior tibialis EMG power during PLMs. Records were scored according to the AASM criteria for sleep stages, PLMI (PLMs per hour of sleep) and PLMAI (PLMs associated arousals per hour of sleep). The PLM Systolic index was used to measure the percentage of BP increases during sleep caused by a PLM event. A BP fluctuation is defined as a continuous BP increase of at least 12 mmHg and lasting 3–30 seconds. PLMs average power is defined as the average PLMs amplitude over the average duration of the PLM events. Results Patients averaged 55.1 ± 30.5 PLMs/hr (14.6–96.9) and a PLMAI of 17.3 ± 10.8 (7.1–41.5). Mean PLMs power was 17.7 ± 7.6 µv (11–33) and mean PLM Systolic index was 5.21 ± 4.1 (0.2–11.5). The data showed a strong correlation between systolic BP increases and PLMs power (r= 0.702, p= 0.01). However, there was no significant correlation between PLMs average power and PLMI (r= 0.587, p= 0.06) and PLMAI (r=0.429, p= 0.23). Conclusion These results suggest that the power of PLMs in RLS patients maybe more useful than PLMI and PLMAI in predicting BP changes that over time may impact cardiovascular health. Support (If Any) Supported in part by Arbor Pharmaceuticals, Atlanta, GA, U.S.