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Tomorrow the New England Journal will publish a study that has statistically identified a genetic risk factor for periodic leg movements in sleep. Though this study is identified as being about “periodic leg movements in sleep”, clearly it has implications for reifying the syndrome known as “restless legs syndrome”.

The Restless Legs Foundation is identified as one of the study’s sponsors. GlaxoSmithKline (manufacturer of ropinirole, FDA-approved to treat moderate-to-severe primary “restless legs syndrome”) is identified in the foundation’s 2006 Annual Report as having contributed greater than $250,000 to the foundation. Likewise, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (manufacturer of pramipexole, also FDA-approved to treat “restless legs syndrome”) is identified as having contributed greater than $150,000. The foundation’s total revenue was $1.48 million in 2006, suggesting that a minimum of 25 percent of revenue was derived from two drug companies with a clear financial motivation to improve the diagnosis and (pharmacological) management of “restless legs syndrome”. The benefits of collaboration between drug companies and the disease treatment advocacy groups they sponsor, as reflected in sales of prescription medications, have been clearly documented (1-5). Although some disease treatment advocacy groups argue that a broad funding base may shield them from undue influence by drug companies (5), readers of the study should note that the Restless Legs Foundation appears to have a narrower revenue stream.

1. Buttle F, Boldrini J. Customer relationship management in the pharmaceutical industry: The role of the patient advocacy group. Journal of Medical Marketing 2001;1:203-214.

2. Moynihan R, Heath I, Henry D. Selling sickness: the pharmaceutical industry and disease mongering. BMJ 2002;324:886-891.

3. Mintzes B. Should patient groups accept money from drug companies? No. BMJ 2007;334:935.

4. Ginsberg T. Donations tie drug firms and nonprofits. Philadelphia Inquirer, May 28, 2006, page A01.

5. Rubenstein S. Industry fights switch to generics for epilepsy. Wall Street Journal, July 13, 2007, page A1.