A comparative study of restless leg syndrome in lung chemical warfare veterans with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and healthy group.

Introduction: Lung is one of the most common organs exposed to chemical gases with their latest pulmonary complications as chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases(COPD). Restless leg syndrome (RLS) presents as sensory and motor symptoms of the limbs, especially legs at rest which can adversely affect quality of life andsleep. We aimed to investigate the comparison of restless leg syndrome in pulmonary chemically injured patients with COPD and healthy groups. Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients diagnosed as COPD due to chemical warfare injury and their healthy sex-matched family members with nopulmonary symptoms during 2016-2017. COPD was confirmed by history, physical examination and spirometry. RLS and COPD assessment tool (CAT)questionnaires were filled by all subjects. Data were analyzed by SPSS 20 software. Results: The study was done in 143 men with mean age of the subjects was 59.7± 8.6years old. Groups were assessed as 40 (30.0%) chemical warfare veterans and 73 (55.3%) COPD cases and 30 controls. RLS questionnaire was positive for20(50%), 25(34.2%) and 1(0.03%) in chemical warfare, COPD and control groups, respectively. Chemical warfare victims suffered from more sputum production and chest pain comparing to COPD patients (<0.001). CAT scores were higher in lung mustard injury in proportion to COPD (P=0.001) Conclusion: Restless leg syndrome is common in mustard lung injuries, so evaluation and treatment of this disorder in these patients can lead to better quality of life and sleep.

Keywords:

COPD , Lung chemical injury , Restless leg syndrome.