Assessment of serum uric acid levels in patients with restless legs syndrome

In our study, the aim was to collect data in relation to our hypothesis that oxidative stress is effective in the etiopathogenesis of restless legs syndrome (RLS) by assessing the serum uric acid levels, an important biomarker of oxidative stress, among RLS patients. The study included a total of 281 patients with restless legs syndrome diagnosis according to the “2012 Revised International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Diagnostic Criteria”. Disease severity was assessed according to the “International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Severity Scale”. The control group comprised 237 healthy individuals with the same age and gender features as the control group. The result showed no statistically significant difference in the mean age and gender between RLS and control group (p = 0.923; p = 0.433). The hemoglobin, ferritin, and uric acid levels of patients with RLS were found to be low (p < 0.001). Total iron-binding capacity level was higher in patients (p < 0.01; p < 0.05). In RLS patients, the serum uric acid level was not affected by disease severity (p > 0.05). Variables affecting uric acid level in RLS patients were determined to be age, disease duration, and hemoglobin level. The hypothesis that uric acid level, accepted as a biomarker of oxidative stress, is important in the pathogenesis of restless legs syndrome is supported by our study.