Restless Leg Syndrome, novel sleep index may help predict Stroke recurrence

Researchers in Sweden have found in a new study that sleep-wake disturbances can predict which stroke survivors are at a greater risk of recurrence.A novel sleep burden index incorporating sleep duration, insomnia, apnea, and restless legs syndrome predicted subsequent cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events after acute stroke.

Stroke patients suffering from a greater level of sleep-wake disturbances, which includes events such as insomnia and restless leg syndrome had twofold higher risk of additional cardio-cerebrovascular events in the following 2 years than people with lower scores.

The findings were presented at the 2020 European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Congress, which was held as a virtual meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The researchers recruited 438 acute stroke patients, 85% with ischemic stroke and 15% with transient ischemic attack (TIA). The age of patients included in the study from 21-86 with a mean age of 65 years. Investigators also noted 64% of this cohort was male. The patients included in the study had data related to stroke characteristics, cardiovascular risk profile, and sleep-disordered breathing recording during the acute phase through interviews, standardized questionnaires, and respirography.