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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Sleep Sci 2025; 18(04): e447-e450
DOI: 10.1055/s-0045-1813730
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The AASM Guidelines for the Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) in the Context of Latin America

Authors

  • Karem Parejo 

    1   Shaio Clinic Foundation, Bogota, Colombia

  • Ulises Jimenez-Correa

    2   National Autonomous University of Mexico, Mexico

  • Lourdes M. DelRosso

    3   University of California San Francisco-Fresno, Fresno, California, United States

Financial Support None
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Abstract

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) represents a significant clinical challenge globally, with management varying by region due to differences in healthcare resources. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) has established guidelines for the treatment of RLS;1 however, their applicability in Latin America is influenced by medication availability, healthcare infrastructure, and the specific characteristics of the region's health systems. The prevalence of RLS in Latin America shows substantial variability among countries. The American Association of Sleep Disorders (ALADS), explores diagnostic challenges, emphasizing the importance of evaluating iron status, which remains limited in many regions. Additionally, pharmacological treatment options are examined, highlighting the difficulty in accessing first-line therapies such as gabapentinoids, while dopamine agonists continue to be used despite the risk of symptom augmentation. The frequent use of benzodiazepines and the limited availability of opioids are also discussed. Alternative therapies, including lifestyle modifications and traditional medicine, are considered as complementary strategies in resource-limited settings. Finally, the need to adapt international guidelines to local realities and to promote research to optimize RLS management in Latin America is underscored.

Keywords

restless legs syndrome - Latin America - iron deficiency - pharmacological treatment - sleep disorders


Publication History

Received: 22 April 2025

Accepted: 24 August 2025

Article published online:
31 December 2025

© 2025. Brazilian Sleep Academy. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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