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The Journal of Headache and Pain
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

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

Authors: Guan-Yu Lin, Yu-Kai Lin, Jiunn-Tay Lee, Meei-Shyuan Lee, Chun-Chieh Lin, Chia-Kuang Tsai, Chi-Hsin Ting, Fu-Chi Yang

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 1/2015

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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.
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in migraine patients with and without aura: a cross-sectional, case-controlled study
Authors
Guan-Yu Lin
Yu-Kai Lin
Jiunn-Tay Lee
Meei-Shyuan Lee
Chun-Chieh Lin
Chia-Kuang Tsai
Chi-Hsin Ting
Fu-Chi Yang
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-016-0691-0

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