Restless Legs Syndrome in Adult Primary Care

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) or Willis‑Ekbom Disease is a sensorimotor condition marked by an irresistible need to move the legs, typically accompanied by uncomfortable sensations that peak during periods of rest and disrupt nightly sleep. Early identification in primary care is essential, as timely intervention can dramatically improve the patient's quality of life. Diagnosis relies on a focused clinical history, guided by targeted questions that explore symptom timing, triggers, and relief measures. Management begins with non‑pharmacological strategies, such as optimizing sleep hygiene and correcting iron deficiency, before progressing to pharmacologic options like gabapentinoids or dopamine agonists when needed. By combining lifestyle modifications with tailored medication plans, clinicians can effectively reduce symptoms and improve sleep quality.

Author/s:

Mathur A, Bhat A, Gohar A

Canadian guideline for Parkinson disease

Erin Blanchette — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 21:31:08 +0000

Date Added:

March 12, 2025

Journal/Publication:

Canadian Medical Association Journal

Publisher:

Canadian Medical Association

Publication Date:

September 9, 2019

Issue:

Volume:

191

Pages:

E989-E1004

URL:

Canadian guideline for Parkinson disease

Type:

Meta-analyses, Reviews, and Guidelines

Format:

Article

DOI (1):

10.1503/cmaj.181504

Keywords

PMID (1):

31501181

MeSH

Deep Brain Stimulation

Parkinson Disease / diagnosis*

Parkinson Disease / physiopathology

Parkinson Disease / therapy

quality of life

An updated Canadian guideline for the diagnosis and management of Parkinson's Disease. James W. Mold, MD, MPH

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KEY POINTS

This guideline update reflects substantial changes in the literature on diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson disease, and adds information on palliative care.

Impulse control disorders can develop in a person with Parkinson disease who is on any dopaminergic therapy at any stage in the disease course, especially for those taking dopamine agonists.

Advanced therapies like deep brain stimulation and intrajejunal levodopa-carbidopa gel infusion are now routinely used in Parkinson disease to manage motor symptoms and fluctuations.

Evidence exists to support early institution of exercise at the time of diagnosis of Parkinson disease, in addition to the clear benefit now shown in those with well-established disease.

Palliative care requirements of people with Parkinson disease should be considered throughout all phases of the disease, which includes an option of medical assistance in dying.

Parkinson disease is chronic and progressive in nature, decreasing the quality of life for both patients with the disease and their caregivers and placing an onerous economic burden on society.1

The first Canadian guideline on Parkinson disease was published in 2012.2 Since that guideline, there have been substantial advances in the literature on the disease, particularly with respect to diagnostic criteria and treatment options. Parkinson Canada undertook to update the existing guideline to reflect these advances, as well as to add information on palliative care.

With the aim of enhancing care for all Canadians with Parkinson disease, this guideline is based on the best published evidence, involves expert consensus when there is a lack of evidence, offers practical clinical advice, takes patient choice and informed decision-making into account and is relevant to the Canadian health care system. The guideline has been divided into 5 main sections to improve the ease of use: communication, diagnosis and progression, treatment, nonmotor features and palliative care. The full guideline is available in Appendix 1, at www.cmaj.ca/lookup/suppl/doi:10.1503/cmaj.181504/-/DC1.

Author/s:

David Grimes, Megan Fitzpatrick, Joyce Gordon, Janis Miyasaki, Edward A Fon, Michael Schlossmacher, Oksana Suchowersky, Alexander Rajput, Anne Louise Lafontaine, Tiago Mestre, Silke Appel-Cresswell, Suneil K Kalia, Kerrie Schoffer, Mateusz Zurowski, Ronald B Postuma, Sean Udow, Susan Fox, Pauline Barbeau, Brian Hutton