Evaluation of Temperament and Character Features as Risk Factors for Depressive Symptoms in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sleep-related movement disorder that is frequently associated with psychological disturbances. Personality traits are of considerable importance with respect to coping with chronic illness and disease vulnerability. This study assessed the temperament and character traits of RLS patients using an approach that involves the psychobiological model of personality. METHODS: The personality features of 65 newly diagnosed and untreated RLS patients with no neurological or psychiatric diseases and 109 healthy controls were determined using the Temperament and Character Inventory and compared using covariance analyses. The International RLS Study Group Severity Scale was used to assess the severity of the RLS symptoms, and the Beck Depression Inventory was used to assess the presence and severity of depressive symptoms. RESULTS: RLS patients scored significantly higher than healthy controls on the temperament dimension of harm avoidance (HA, p=0.02) and significantly lower on self-directedness (SD, p=0.001). No significant difference was observed in terms of the temperament dimension of novelty seeking (p=0.435). HA scores were significantly correlated with the BDI score but not with the RLS severity or duration. CONCLUSIONS: High HA and low SD scores are the main characterizing personality features of RLS patients. These personality dimensions may be among the factors predisposing patients to development of the depressive symptoms that are frequently associated with RLS.

Benign acute childhood myositis

To evaluate the clinical and laboratory findings of benign acute childhood myositis. Subjects andSix children, 1 girl and 5 boys, aged 3-9 years, were admitted to Karadeniz Technical University Paediatric Neurology Department in Trabzon, Turkey, with the diagnosis of benign acute childhood myositis in January and February 2002. The clinical and laboratory findings on the patients were analysed. Serum creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase levels were increased in all cases. Two patients had leucopenia. Viral studies were negative. All the patients had a good outcome, and full recovery was achieved within 12 h to 3 days. Benign acute childhood myositis is a self-limiting disease with a good prognosis. Pediatricians and pediatric neurologists must be aware of this condition to avoid unnecessary investigations and to differentiate this condition from other causes of acute onset of inability to walk. It may occur in epidemics mainly in the wintertime, suggesting a viral aetiology