MD16S03: Medication for restless legs syndrome

Bottom line: Information on restless legs syndrome was used to justify the management of the patient (drug prescription). Patient health outcomes are unknown.

Acquisition: On March 24, 2008, MD16 did a search at work, by themselves, and after a patient encounter. They retrieved three information hits about restless legs. The reported search objectives were: to address a clinical question, and to share information with a patient or caregiver. “It [the patient] was a woman. She is 46 years old and a history of symptoms very consistent with restless legs syndrome.  So she came in and having lots of problem with these symptoms and wondering what she could do for it because she had seen other physicians and tried different things that had been ineffective for her. […] I didn’t have time to look it up at that point.  But I did tell her “Yes I will look into it” and she was going to come back and see me. […] The clinical question was to see what the current recommended treatment for restless legs syndrome is.”According to MD16, Essential Evidence+ (EE+) was the only source for information, and the found information was relevant.

Cognition: Three hits were associated with a report of a highly positive cognitive impact (practice improvement). “Pergolide, that was the medication that was recommended as the most effective, and so that’s the one I started using.”

Retrieved information hit(s):

1) NGC Practice Guidelines (CIRT): Dopaminergic treatment of restless legs syndrome

2) EBMG clinical topics (CIRT): Restless legs akathisia and muscle cramps

3) EBMG summaries (CIRT): Pergolide, pramipexole and amantadine in treatment of restless legs

Application: Information on restless legs was retrieved for a patient, and was used to justify the management of the patient (information used as presented in EE+). “I found a new medication that I could use for treating this condition [...]. I prescribed the recommended medication for the patient. […] It [the information] was [used] to modify [my management].”

Outcomes: Patient health outcomes are unknown (not specified).

Type of path: No outcome

Acquisition	Cognition	Application	Outcomes
Address a clinical question Share information	Practice improved Learned something	Justify choice Understand issue	No outcome