INTRODUCTION: The restless legs syndrome is characterized by an unpleasant 
sensation in the legs which causes an imperative need to move the legs and is 
therefore considered to be a disorder of movement. When it appears before going 
to sleep, it may interfere with falling asleep and lead to a sleep-deficit.
DEVELOPMENT AND CONCLUSIONS: It is a clinical condition with a satisfactory 
treatment, and improvement of the associated sleep disorder. The etiology is 
unknown, sometimes it is familial. The syndrome is increasingly often diagnosed, 
particularly in association with iron deficiency, during pregnancy, in chronic 
renal failure and in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Polysomnography is not 
necessary, unless one suspects an associated disorder of periodic leg movements. 
Treatment is by dopaminergic, opiate, benzodiazepine, anticonvulsant drugs or 
clonidine.