A 70-year-old man complains of restlessness and discomfort in his legs at night that are relieved by moving around. He has a history of peripheral neuropathy due to type 2 diabetes. How should his symptoms be evaluated and managed?
This patient's symptoms are suggestive of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). However, peripheral neuropathy can sometimes mimic RLS. Therefore, a careful clinical evaluation is needed to distinguish between these two conditions. If the diagnosis of RLS is confirmed, treatment can include lifestyle modifications like regular exercise, good sleep hygiene, and avoidance of caffeine. If these measures are insufficient, medications such as gabapentin, which can be beneficial for both RLS and neuropathy, could be considered. Also, optimal control of his diabetes is important as it might help slow the progression of his neuropathy.