Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41345582›Full record

SynthesisBMC neurology2025

Restless legs syndrome as a comorbidity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Asal Ebrahimian, Afshin Moradi, Seyed Zanyar Athari, Fereshteh Farajdokht

Abstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC neurology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Asal EbrahimianStudent Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-1613-9747
Afshin MoradiStudent Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2525-3664
Seyed Zanyar AthariNeurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8274-8570
Fereshteh FarajdokhtNeurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. farajdokhtf@tbzmed.ac.ir.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5349-6028

Funding

Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences 74962
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRestless Legs Syndrome (RLS), characterized by an urge to move the legs, is linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Emerging evidence suggests a higher RLS prevalence in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), impacting quality of life. However, there is lack of comprehensive review addressing its prevalence and associated risk factors. This meta-analysis estimates RLS prevalence in ALS patients compared to healthy controls.

methodsWe searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus for studies assessing RLS in ALS patients versus controls, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed bias using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Meta-analysis used Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software with a random-effects model due to heterogeneity. The certainty of evidence was appraised using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) framework.

resultsOut of 291 studies, eight studies (792 ALS, 716 controls) were included. The pooled RLS prevalence in ALS was 17% (95% CI: 14.0%-21.1%; I²: 56.5%; p-value < 0.001). The fixed effect meta-analysis of four studies indicated that the difference of RLS prevalence was statically significant between patients with ALS and healthy controls (OR: 5.65; CI: 2.86-11.13; P-value < 0.001; I²: 28.7.).

conclusionRLS is significantly more prevalent in ALS patients, potentially worsening sleep and quality of life, mental health, and social well-being. Therefore, it is essential to draw clinicians' attention to RLS in ALS patients due to its potential impact on overall health.

Indexed as

Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisRestless Legs SyndromeComorbidityHumansPrevalenceAmyotrophic lateral sclerosisMeta-AnalysisPrevalenceRestless legs syndromeSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41345582
PMCPMC12781718

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.