Release Date
November 17, 2003
Termination Date
March 1, 2005
Estimated time to complete each part:
15 minutes
Estimated time
to complete this
4-part newsletter
series: 1 hour
Posttest after
newsletter
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This independent CME activity is supported by an
educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline
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"Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) affects millions of Americans, yet is underreported and under-diagnosed. Read this important newsletter on RLS to learn what to consider when your patients complain that they can't sleep."
Dear Colleague:
According to the Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, “despite its offbeat name, RLS is a debilitating neurologic disorder that can lead to depression and even suicide” that afflicts almost 8% of the US population. Yet, only a small proportion of affected individuals seek medical care for their problem and even fewer are correctly diagnosed. People with RLS are typically sleep deprived, with profound negative effects on quality of life. Ironically, with medication RLS symptoms can be controlled for the great majority of affected individuals.
This is a series of four Treatment Reporters on RLS. The first issue presents an overview of RLS, including diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, differential diagnosis, and burden of illness. Upcoming issues will focus on specific suggestions regarding the key clinical steps for evaluating the patient suspected of having RLS in the primary care setting. Hypotheses regarding RLS pathophysiology will be discussed and factors that may precipitate RLS will be reviewed. We will then present practical treatment strategies for patients with RLS, including special populations, such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
We hope you find this series helpful and informative, and that the information presented can be incorporated into your clinical practice.
Yours truly,
Chair
Arthur S. Walters, MD
Staff Neurologist
Director, Center for Sleep Disorders Treatment,
Research & Education
New Jersey Neuroscience Institute at
JFK Medical Center
Edison, New Jersey
Professor, Department of Neuroscience
Seton Hall University
School of Graduate Medical Education
South Orange, New Jersey |
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Target Audience
This activity is designed for neurologists, pulmonologists, sleep specialists, psychiatrists, and primary care providers who treat patients with restless legs syndrome.
Activity Goal
The goal of this 4-part activity is to educate clinicians on the epidemiology, diagnostic criteria, appropriate evaluation, and effective management of primary and secondary restless legs syndrome.
Learning Objectives
After completing this 4-part activity, the physician should be able to:
- Discuss the epidemiology of RLS and the burden of illness it imposes on patients and society.
- Identify the diagnostic criteria for restless legs syndrome, differentiate between primary and secondary RLS, and determine when polysomographic (PSG) testing is indicated to diagnose other coexisting sleep disorders.
- Compare the effectiveness, risks, and benefits of various pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic RLS therapies.
- Develop practical strategies for treating patients with RLS using pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic therapies.
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Statement of Accreditation
Projects In Knowledge is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Credit Designation
Projects In Knowledge designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.0 category 1 credit toward the AMA Physician’s Recognition Award. Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity.
This 4-part newsletter is planned and implemented in accordance with the ACCME Essential Areas and Policies.
Successful completion for 1.0 hour of CME credit requires a passing score of 70% or higher on all four posttests. Full instructions for submission are included on the posttest accompanying this CME newsletter.
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Disclosure Information
The Disclosure Policy of Projects In Knowledge requires that faculty participating in a CME activity disclose to the audience: any significant relationship they may have with a pharmaceutical or medical equipment company, product,
or service that may be mentioned as part of their presentation; any relationship with the commercial supporter of this
activity; if discussion includes 1) therapies that are unapproved for use or are investigational; 2) ongoing research; or
3) preliminary data. Faculty will disclose such discussion.
For complete prescribing information on the products discussed during this CME activity, please see your current Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR).
Arthur S. Walters, MD, has received grant/research support from and is a consultant for GlaxoSmithKline.
The opinions expressed in this four-part activity are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect those of Projects In Knowledge.
This CME activity is provided by Projects In Knowledge solely as an educational service. Specific patient care decisions are the responsibility of the physician caring for the patient.
This independent CME activity is supported by an
educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline.
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