Alteration in polysomnographic profile in 'migraine without aura' compared to healthy controls

Studies related to sleep macroarchitecture in migraines are far and few between. We studied the polysomnographic (PSG) abnormalities in subjects of 'migraine without aura' as compared to healthy controls.

Thirty patients of 'migraine without aura' were prospectively recruited. The frequency and severity of headaches was assessed using the migraine disability assessment score (MIDAS). Patients were evaluated for their sleep quality and excessive daytime sleepiness with the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS), respectively. Their overnight PSGs were compared with 32 healthy controls who were group matched for age.

The mean age of the cases (33.5±8.6years) and controls (30.2±9.6years) was comparable. There was a female preponderance among the migraineurs (80%). The sleep efficiency was significantly lower in the cases as compared to the controls (P=0.003). Stage 4 sleep (p=0.008) and total NREM sleep (p=0.001) was also significantly less in the cases as compared to the controls. Sleep onset (p=0.021) and stage 1 latency (p=0.048) was significantly prolonged in cases as compared to controls.

This study showed significantly lower sleep efficiency, prolonged sleep onset latency, lesser stage 4 and NREM sleep, and more number of total awakenings in migraineurs compared to the controls. Further studies are required to detect whether these abnormalities are due to migraine per se or associated comorbidities.