Study Finds Limited Link Between Migraine and Restless Leg Syndrome

Migraine and Restless Leg Syndrome have been linked previously, but a new population-based study found the two disorders were associated only in adults under 50.

Researchers in Korea evaluated the records from nearly 2,700 individuals in the study period between November 2011 and January 2012. Of those, 143 participants were classified as having migraine and 142 as having restless leg syndrome (RLS), which is a condition marked by an uncontrollable urge to move the legs.

Researchers found that in addition to RLS being more prevalent among migraineurs ages 19 to 49, RLS was more common among migrainuers who experienced more than one headache attack a month as compared to migraineurs who had one or fewer headache attacks per month.

The study, which was published last month in The Journal of Headache and Pain, was led by Soo-Jin Cho, MD, of the Hallym University College of Medicine in Hwaseong, Korea.

The authors say several factors could explain the findings:

Dopamine and iron dysregulation in migraine and RLS according to age, as the dysregulation of both have been implicated in the two disorders.

A general increase in RLS secondary to other disorders in the elderly population combined with the typical decrease of migraine in the same age group.

In the elderly group, a medication-induced increase in RLS and a general decrease in migraine.

The authors say they believe their findings may help provide a better understanding of the comorbidity and pathophysiology of migraine, headache, and RLS.