Individuals with migraine have an almost twofold increased risk of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and are especially susceptible to severe RLS, according to a study published in the European Journal of Neurology. The prevalence of RLS was 16.9% in patients with migraine, compared with 8.7% in non-headache controls, and the mean RLS severity score was significantly higher in the migraine cohort than in the controls. In addition, migraine patients with RLS frequently reported insomnia and poor sleep quality, which could trigger further migraine attacks.
References
van Oosterhout, W. P. et al. Restless legs syndrome in migraine patients: prevalence and severity. Eur. J. Neurol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ene.12993 (2016)
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Wood, H. Migraine is associated with restless legs and sleepless nights. Nat Rev Neurol 12, 313 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2016.61
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrneurol.2016.61