NEW ORLEANS—Restless legs syndrome (RLS), migraine, and bruxism may have a strong clinical and genetic association, according to research presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Neurological Association.
“If supported by prospective studies, this knowledge will improve identification and diagnosis of all three conditions,” said David J. Dickoff, MD, Assistant Clinical Professor of Neurology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. “The data also suggest that headaches associated with bruxism, previously attributed to temporomandibular joint dysfunction, may be migraines and responsive to appropriate therapies.”
A total of 870 patients with RLS completed a 35-question survey regarding demographics, symptoms, associated conditions, family history, and response to treatment. The investigators also reviewed medical charts and conducted interviews with subjects.
Among the participants, 549 had migraine (63%), 289 had bruxism (33%), and 240 (28%) had all three conditions. Of the 470 respondents who had answered all questions about headache and bruxism, 364 had migraines (78%), 281 had bruxism (60%), and 245 (52%) had all three disorders.
Eighty-one percent of patients with RLS reported having insomnia, 74% had headache, 72% had pain, 70% had numbness, 66% had tingling, 36% had cramps, 33% had bruxism, 33% had aching, and 25% had burning sensation.
According to the researchers, 65% of participants had at least one first-degree relative with RLS, migraines, or bruxism, 24% had a family member with two conditions, and 8% had a family history of all three disorders. About 47% of patients reported having a family member who had headaches, 43% had a family member with chronic pain, and 26% had a family member with insomnia.
—Colby Stong