Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2 with restless legs syndrome

Abstract

In a series of 44 consecutive patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), we found restless legs syndrome (RLS) in 10 of 27 CMT type 2 (CMT2) patients (37%) and in none of 17 CMT type 1 patients (p = 0.004). In the CMT2 patients, RLS was associated with positive sensory symptoms (10/10 versus 10/17; p = 0.026). This finding supports the view that a disorder of sensory input plays a role in the pathogenesis of RLS. Symptomatic treatment may benefit these patients.