Migraine and REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder: A Common Pathogenesis?

Background: REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) and migraine are two different disorders that originate from the brainstem.

Aim: To examine the relationship between the two diseases. Settings and Design: Patients attending the neurology clinics of Istanbul Medipol University, Medipol Kosuyolu Hospital and Karabuk University.

Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in two parts: in the first part, migraine patients were assessed for RBD with a screening questionnaire (RBDSQ). Patients with a score of 5 or higher, meaning they were diagnosed with ‘dream-enacting behaviour’, were called on the phone and recommended to undergo a polysomnography (PSG). In the second part of the study, the patients who agreed to participate were taken a one-night PSG to assess RBD.

Results: Of the 230 people who answered the RBDSQ, 51 (22.2%) scored 5 or higher. One hundred ninety-one (83%) were women and 39 (17%) were men. Eleven patients agreed to take PSG. Six (54.5%) were diagnosed with RBD. Statistical analysis: The data were evaluated with SPSS 16.0. Student’s t tests and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to compare the two independent groups and chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables.

Conclusions: Among migraine sufferers, which are common in society, the prevalence of RBD is high. The problem of misdiagnosis may be due to the mild clinical symptoms of RBD in females, who are predominant among those with migraine.