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Restless legs syndrome and tension-type headache: a population-based study
Pil-Wook Chung1, Soo-Jin Cho2, Won-Joo Kim3
1Department of Neurology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
The Journal of Headache and Pain
|April 21, 2017
Summary
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is more common in people with tension-type headache (TTH). RLS in TTH patients is associated with worse headache intensity, anxiety, and depression.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sleep Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is increasingly linked to primary headache disorders.
- Limited data exists on the association between Tension-Type Headache (TTH) and RLS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between RLS and TTH in a Korean population.
- To determine the prevalence and clinical impact of RLS in TTH patients.
Main Methods:
- A population-based sample of 2695 Koreans aged 19-69 years was assessed.
- Semi-structured interviews identified RLS, TTH, and clinical headache characteristics.
- Prevalence and clinical impact of RLS in TTH participants were determined.
Main Results:
- RLS prevalence was significantly higher in TTH individuals (6.0%) compared to non-headache controls (3.6%).
- RLS was more prevalent in TTH patients meeting probable migraine criteria (8.0%).
- TTH patients with RLS reported higher headache intensity, anxiety, and depression rates.
Conclusions:
- RLS prevalence is elevated in individuals with TTH.
- Clinical features of TTH can be influenced by the presence of RLS.
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