Huzursuz bacak sendromlu hastalarda temporomandibular eklem bozukluk prevalansı ve hastalık aktivitesiyle ilişkisi

Aim: Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) are conditions associated with central sensitization, stress, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, and may therefore share a common etiopathogenetic basis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of TMD in patients diagnosed with RLS and to evaluate the relationship between the presence of TMD and disease activity.Methods: This study was conducted at the Neurology and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinics of Düzce University Faculty of Medicine Research and Application Hospital. A total of 83 patients aged 18–65 years, diagnosed with RLS by a neurologist based on the four essential diagnostic criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG), were included in the study. The Fonseca Anamnestic Index (FA) was used for TMD assessment, while the severity of RLS was measured using the Restless Legs Syndrome Severity Scale (RLSSS).Results: Of the participants, 73.5% (n=61) were female and 26.5% (n=22) were male, with a mean age of 58.55±13.32 years. Complaints related to bruxism were identified in 36.1% of patients with RLS. According to FA results, 49.4% (n=41) of patients were found to be at risk for TMD. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference between RLSSS scores and the presence of TMD (p=0.130). However, a moderate, positive, and statistically significant correlation was found between RLSSS and FA scores (r=0.328; p=0.002).Conclusion: Approximately half of the patients diagnosed with RLS are at risk for TMD. The FA can be used as a practical and effective screening tool for evaluating TMD in RLS patients. Nevertheless, larger-scale studies incorporating comprehensive clinical examinations and advanced diagnostic methods are needed to confirm TMD diagnosis.