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. 2016 Dec;17(1):97.
doi: 10.1186/s10194-016-0691-0. Epub 2016 Oct 21.

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

Guan-Yu Lin  1 , Yu-Kai Lin  1 , Jiunn-Tay Lee  1 , Meei-Shyuan Lee  2 , Chun-Chieh Lin  1 , Chia-Kuang Tsai  1 , Chi-Hsin Ting  1   3 , Fu-Chi Yang  4
Affiliations

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

Guan-Yu Lin et al. J Headache Pain. 2016 Dec.

Abstract

Background: Although 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.

Methods: We 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.

Results: Univariate 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.

Conclusions: Higher migraine frequency correlates with a higher prevalence of RLS, particularly among patients with auras.

Keywords: Dopamine; Hospital anxiety and depression subscales; Iron metabolism; Migraine; Pittsburgh sleep quality index; Restless legs syndrome.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a RLS prevalence across the study groups. b RLS prevalence stratified by aura or no aura across the study groups.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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