Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in migraine patients with and without aura: a cross-sectional, case-controlled study

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough the comorbidity of migraine and restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been well-documented, the association between RLS and migraine frequency has yet to be elucidated. The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence of RLS among individuals who experience low-frequency, high-frequency, or chronic migraine presenting with and without aura.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, case-controlled study involving 505 participants receiving outpatient headache treatment. Standardized questionnaires were administered to collect information on experiences of migraine, RLS, sleep quality, anxiety, depression, and demographics. Participants were categorized into low-frequency (1–8/month), high-frequency (9–14/month), and chronic (≥15/month) headache groups. RLS was diagnosed according to the criteria outlined by the International RLS Study Group (IRLSSG). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) were used to assess sleep quality and identify symptoms of anxiety and depression. Associations between migraine frequency and RLS prevalence were investigated using multivariate linear and logistic regression.ResultsUnivariate analysis revealed an effect of migraine frequency on RLS prevalence (p = 0.026), though this effect did not persist following adjustment for baseline characteristics (p = 0.256). The trend was robust in patients whose migraines presented with auras (p univariate = 0.002; p multivariate = 0.043) but not in those without auras (p univariate and p multivariate > 0.05). Higher anxiety [odds ratio (OR) = 1.18, p = 0.019] and sleep disturbance (OR = 1.17, p = 0.023) scores were associated with higher RLS prevalence.ConclusionsHigher migraine frequency correlates with a higher prevalence of RLS, particularly among patients with auras.

Associations Between Depression/Anxiety and Headache Frequency in Migraineurs: A Cross‐Sectional Study

“…This cross‐sectional study enrolled 623 subjects that attended an outpatient headache clinic in the Department of Neurology at Tri‐Service General Hospital (TSGH) between June 2014 and May 2016. The current study expanded the dataset on which we previously published two articles on migraineurs in association with restless legs syndrome and sleep quality . Patients suffering from migraines, both with and without auras, were enrolled after providing informed consent according to the criteria of the International Headache Society .…”

Migraine and Headache Prevalence and Associated Comorbidities in a Large Saudi Sample

“…Because migraine can be a lifelong condition, patient education on preventive strategies that minimize the impact on the individual’s life and reduces the potential occurrence of a migraine related complication is essential. There are many diseases that have been identified as comorbidities of migraine, such as restless legs syndrome (RLS) [2], hypertension [3], syncope [4], depression [5] and increased risk of vascular incidents [6]. These conditions eventually contribute to the overall morbidity.…”

Association of genetic variants in migraineurs with and without restless legs syndrome

“…Dysfunction of A11 dopaminergic neurons in the hypothalamospinal tract is also strongly implicated in the pathophysiology of RLS. 22 In recent years, a variety of genetic analyses, mostly GWAS, have been performed to clarify the link between RLS and migraine. A previous study identified 13 SNP Patients in the migraine with RLS and migraine without RLS groups were compared using Plink.…”