A 59-year-old woman presents to her primary care physician for trouble sleeping. When she goes to bed at night, she has an urge to get up out of bed and walk around. The patient often wakes her husband when she does this which irritates him. There is a perpetual uneasiness and feeling of a need to move at night which is relieved by getting up and walking around. The patient denies symptoms during the day. She works as a mail carrier and is nearing retirement. She has a medical history of anxiety, depression, irritable bowel syndrome, and dysmenorrhea. She is not currently taking any medications. Her temperature is 99.5°F (37.5°C), blood pressure is 157/98 mmHg, pulse is 80/min, respirations are 17/min, and oxygen saturation is 98% on room air. Physical exam reveals 5/5 strength in the upper and lower extremities, 2+ reflexes in the upper and lower extremities, a stable gait pattern, and normal sensation. Cardiopulmonary and abdominal exams are within normal limits. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial step in management?
Alprazolam
Iron studies
Pramipexole
Supportive therapy and an exercise routine
Iron studies
This patient is presenting with the need to get up and walk around at night, which is suggestive of restless leg syndrome. The most appropriate initial step in management is collecting iron studies to assess for iron deficiency.

Restless leg syndrome presents with a sustained sense of restlessness and a feeling of a need to move one's legs. Symptoms typically occur at night and are relieved by activities such as walking. Iron deficiency can be a precipitating factor in restless leg syndrome as iron is a cofactor in the production of dopamine. Prior to administering iron, it is important to first confirm or rule out the diagnosis of iron deficiency with laboratory values which should include a CBC and iron studies. If iron deficiency exists, iron should be administered. If iron deficiency is not present, then dopamine agonists such as pramipexole or ropinirole can be administered.

Gossard et al. review the evidence regarding the diagnosis and treatment of restless leg syndrome. They discuss how iron deficiency is associated with the development of this disorder. They recommend iron repletion in deficient patients.

Incorrect Answers:
Answer A: Alprazolam could be an appropriate step in management if the patient suffers from episodic panic attacks/anxiety. It is not an optimal long-term therapy for anxiety or depression. Benzodiazepines are not first-line in treating restless leg syndrome.

Answer B: Ferrous sulfate would not be indicated until iron deficiency is confirmed. Iron deficiency is associated with restless leg syndrome as iron is a cofactor in the production of dopamine.

Answer D: Pramipexole is a dopamine agonist that is an effective therapy for restless leg syndrome. However, it is more important to treat any underlying causes for restless leg syndrome such as iron deficiency prior to starting a dopamine agonist.

Answer E: Supportive therapy and an exercise routine ignore the potential underlying pathology and do not offer any specific treatment for this patient's restless leg syndrome. Exercise can improve symptoms of restless leg syndrome but iron deficiency must still be ruled out.

Bullet Summary:
Patients with restless leg syndrome should be assessed for iron deficiency and treated if they are iron deficient.