Dopa responsive irritable bowel syndrome: restless bowel syndrome or a gastrointestinal variant of restless legs syndrome?

In addition to the legs, restless legs syndrome (RLS) affects various other parts of the body, including the arms, abdomen, face, head-neck, oral cavity, genital area and bladder. RLS is also associated with several comorbid conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We are reporting two cases of RLS who also had IBS, fulfilling the Rome IV criteria. The administration of levodopa and dopamine agonists provided a complete improvement in both IBS and RLS. Review of the literature suggest that the clinical semiology and clinical pattern of IBS (urge to defaecate, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, bloating, disturbed sleep and circadian rhythm) simulate the semiology and pattern of RLS. Similarities are also noted in the associated comorbid conditions, effective drugs and proposed hypotheses for both clinical syndromes. We hypothesise that RLS may affect intestine, and IBS-like symptoms in a subset of patients with RLS may be the part of RLS symptoms complex.

Automated summary

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) not only affects legs, but also various other body parts, including arms, abdomen, face, head-neck, oral cavity, genital area and bladder. RLS is associated with comorbid conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and treatment with levodopa and dopamine agonists may provide improvement in both RLS and IBS symptoms. There are similarities in clinical symptoms, associated comorbid conditions, and proposed hypotheses between RLS and IBS, suggesting a potential connection between the two disorders.