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.
Highlights
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 aim of the present study was to determine whether higher migraine frequency is correlated with increased prevalence of RLS and, if so, whether the relationship between migraine frequency and RLS prevalence differs between patients with migraine with aura (MA) and MO
Though Sevim et al [45] observed a correlation between RLS severity and the severity of anxiety/depression symptoms, positing that disorders of anxiety and depression may be related to RLS symptoms, the results of the present study suggest a relationship between RLS and anxiety, but not depression
Summary
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. Migraine is a primary headache disorder that affects 10 ~ 20 % of the general population. RLS, for which reported prevalence rates vary from 4 % to 29 % in the general population, is characterized by an unpleasant leg sensation that typically worsens at night and resolves with movement [9]. Migraineurs with RLS more often experience premonitory symptoms than those without RLS, further supporting the notion of a dopaminergic link between migraine and RLS [15]. Spreading reductions in cerebral blood flow have been associated with migraine aura pathophysiology [18]. Research suggests that the depolarization of neurons and glial propagation in a wave-like manner across susceptible brain regions may be related to both migraine aura and RLS [19]
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