Experts Unite to Create New Online Resource for Restless Legs Syndrome

Ingelheim, Germany (ots/PRNewswire) -

- Unique Educational Website 'Under the Covers of Restless Legs
Syndrome (RLS)' is Launched on World Sleep Day

- For Non-US Healthcare Media

The website http://www.rlsunderthecovers.com brings together
leading medical experts in the field of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)
who have undertaken to explain key facts and symptoms of this
condition, which affects people's sleep pattern, their ability to
perform tasks which require longer periods of immobility, and
negatively impacts patients' quality of life. This educational tool,
consisting of contributions from renowned RLS experts dedicated to
research and treatment of this neurological disorder and
contributions of patients affected by the condition, is the result of
a joint initiative between Boehringer Ingelheim and the World
Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM). The website is launched today
on World Sleep Day and will hopefully help to improve recognition of
this serious condition, which is one of the most common causes of
sleep disturbance.(1)

"Nobody knows how bad it is. You cannot explain this horrible
feeling in your legs that makes you move constantly," says RLS
patient Sue, featured on the website, who tries to articulate the
condition that affects up to one in 10 of the adult population (aged
between 30 and 79).(2) Like Sue, up to one-third of those affected
experience symptoms at least twice every week, causing moderate to
severe distress.(3) RLS is characterised by an uncontrollable urge to
move the legs, usually accompanied or caused by uncomfortable and
often painful sensations in the legs.(4,5) These symptoms are usually
worse when at rest or during the evening or night, which makes it
difficult for those with RLS symptoms to fall asleep and stay
asleep.(3,6) In fact, those with moderate to severe RLS may sleep
less than five hours per night.(6) This can lead to excessive daytime
sleepiness and compromise work/daytime performance.(3)

"I have conducted medical research in the field of RLS for over
30 years, but still encounter many misconceptions about the
condition. Among neurologists and people living with RLS, there is no
doubt that, in its moderate to severe form, the symptoms have a
serious impact on quality of life. The condition warrants appropriate
medical attention just as would any other neurological condition,"
commented Professor Richard P. Allen, Secretary of the World
Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) and Committee Member of World
Sleep Day 2009, "The joint collaboration between WASM as a scientific
society, international medical experts and the pharmaceutical
industry has provided an excellent opportunity to share a wealth of
knowledge with those in search of accurate information on RLS via a
comprehensive and creative website. WASM is very pleased with this
initiative and we hope it will help to clarify misconceptions that
can often delay or hinder correct diagnosis and help people to better
understand how serious RLS can be for those affected."

The website http://www.rlsunderthecovers.com offers the viewer
key insights into:

- The history of RLS
- RLS symptoms
- The impact of RLS on quality of life and sleep quality (including
patient insights)
- RLS diagnosis and management

Notes to Editor

About Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

Restless Legs Syndrome is a neurological disorder characterised
by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs, usually accompanied by
unpleasant and sometimes painful sensations in the legs. Restless
Legs Syndrome affects up to ten percent of the population worldwide
aged between 30 and 79 years(2) and around one-third of sufferers
experience symptoms more than twice weekly causing moderate to severe
distress.(5) The motor-restlessness worsens during the evening and
night causing difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep. The sleep
disruption can lead to excessive daytime sleepiness and compromise
work performance. Restless Legs Syndrome also has considerable impact
on social activities that require immobility.

About World Sleep Day

The World Sleep Day, an annual event which was put on the health
agenda by the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) in 2008, is
intended to be a call to action on many fronts related to sleep
including education, social issues and driving. The World Sleep Day
Committee declare that "disorders of sleep are preventable and
treatable medical conditions in every country of the world". The
event is sponsored by the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM)
and many local groups in different countries throughout the world.

World Sleep Day 2009 takes place on Friday, 20 March 2009. For
more information please visit http://www.worldsleepday.org.

About the World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM)

The World Association of Sleep Medicine (WASM) is an
international organisation comprised of healthcare professionals
primarily active in the field of sleep medicine. Its goal is to
advance knowledge about sleep and sleep disorders among healthcare
personnel and among the public worldwide and the Association was
founded to improve sleep health worldwide and to encourage prevention
and treatment of sleep disorders.

WASM is working towards increasing worldwide awareness of the
importance of sleep and the adverse consequences resulting from lack
of sleep, due either to enforced lifestyle or to sleep disorders
themselves. The Association aims to act as a link between various
sleep associations and cultures, i.e. as an international nexus among
sleep clinicians and researchers in the advancement of worldwide
sleep health. A special goal of the Association is to foster
dissemination of expertise in sleep medicine everywhere in the world.
For more information please visit http://www.wasmonline.org.

About Boehringer Ingelheim

The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading
pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it
operates globally with 135 affiliates in 47 countries and 39,800
employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has
been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and
marketing novel products of high therapeutic value for human and
veterinary medicine.

For more information please visit
http://www.boehringer-ingelheim.com.

References

1. Allen RP et al. Restless Legs Syndrome: a review of clinical
and pathophysiologic features. J Clin Neurophysiol 2001; 18(2):
128-147.

2. Phillips B et al. Epidemiology of Restless Legs Symptoms in
adults. Arch Intern Med 2000; 160(14): 2137-2141.

3. Hening W et al. Impact, diagnosis and treatment of Restless
Legs Syndrome in a primary care population: REST (RLS epidemiology,
symptoms and treatment) primary care study. Sleep Med 2004; 5(3):
237-246.

4. Allen RP et al. Restless Legs Syndrome prevalence and impact:
REST general population study. Arch Intern Med 2005; 165(11):
1286-1292.

5. Silber MH et al. An algorithm for the management of Restless
Legs Syndrome. Mayo Clin Proc 2004; 79(7): 916-922.

6. Allen RP et al. Restless Legs Syndrome: diagnostic criteria,
special considerations, and epidemiology - A report from the Restless
Legs Syndrome diagnosis and epidemiology workshop at the National
Institutes of Health. Sleep Med 2003; 4(2): 101-119.

ots Originaltext: Boehringer Ingelheim
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Contact: Ursula Bardon, Corporate Division Communications, Boehringer
Ingelheim GmbH, 55216 Ingelheim/Germany, Phone: +49-6132-77-2622,
Fax: +49-6132-72-2622, E-mail: press@boehringer-ingelheim.com