The association between migraine and restless legs syndrome: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to gain further insight into the association between migraine and restless legs syndrome (RLS).

Methods: A literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was performed for studies investigating the association between any migraine and RLS; a meta-analysis of eligible studies was conducted to determine a pooled effect estimate for the association.

Results: Fifteen studies were included in this meta-analysis. The studies differed in methodology, but all investigated the association between migraine and RLS. Pooled RLS prevalence was 17.0% [95% confidence interval (CI) 15.0%-20.0%] among migraineurs, and 7.0% (95% CI 5.0%-8.0%) among no migraine individuals. Pooled analyses showed that migraine was associated with RLS, but effect estimates were substantially higher in case-control studies [pooled odds ratio (OR) = 3.77, 95% CI 2.73-5.21; I² = 50.1%] than in cross-sectional studies (pooled OR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.11-1.41; I² = 34.2%). Subgroup analyses were not conducted to find potential factors that affect this association because of too few available studies.

Conclusions: This updated meta-analysis confirms the association between migraine and RLS. Future studies should specifically investigate the potential effects of gender, age, aura status, and type (episodic or chronic) of migraine on the association between the two disorders.

Keywords: Meta-analysis; Migraine; Restless legs syndrome.