# The Correlation Between Migraine Frequency and Sleep Disturbances in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study finds that more frequent migraines are linked to worse sleep quality in adults, especially women.

## Contribution

The study identifies migraine frequency and female gender as independent predictors of poor sleep quality in migraine patients.

## Key findings

- Migraine frequency strongly correlates with poor sleep quality (PSQI score r = 0.54, p < 0.001).
- 66% of participants had poor sleep quality, with higher rates in those with high migraine frequency.
- Female gender was an independent predictor of poor sleep quality (OR = 2.43, p = 0.04).

## Abstract

Introduction

Sleep disturbances and migraines are prevalent neurological conditions that can significantly impair an individual’s quality of life. Research suggests a bidirectional relationship, where migraines contribute to sleep disruption, and poor sleep quality may intensify migraine frequency and severity. This study aimed to assess the relationship between migraine frequency and sleep quality in adult patients. Additionally, it endeavored to explore the effects of migraine intensity and duration, gender differences, and identify independent predictors of poor sleep using logistic regression.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted over one year (January-December 2020) at the Department of Neurology, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore. Using convenience sampling, 103 adult migraine patients were enrolled. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. Data on migraine frequency, duration, and intensity were collected. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation, chi-square tests, independent t-tests, and binary logistic regression to identify predictors of poor sleep quality.

Results

The mean age of participants was 34.7 ± 10.8 years, with 69 (67%) females. Poor sleep quality (PSQI >5) was observed in 68 participants (66%). Mean PSQI scores increased significantly with migraine frequency (low: 5.8 ± 2.7; moderate: 8.1 ± 3.1; high: 10.5 ± 3.2; p<0.001). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a moderate positive association between migraine frequency and PSQI score (r = 0.54, p<0.001), indicating that as the number of migraine attacks per month increased, sleep quality worsened proportionally. A correlation coefficient (r) of 0.54 suggests a statistically meaningful and clinically relevant relationship, where migraine frequency accounts for a moderate proportion of the variability in sleep disturbance severity. This finding supports the hypothesis that migraine frequency plays a direct role in sleep impairment, warranting integrated clinical management strategies. Female participants reported higher migraine frequency and poorer sleep than males (p = 0.04). The prevalence of poor sleep rose from 18 participants (42.9%) in the low-frequency group to 24 (100%) in the high-frequency group (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender [odds ratio (OR) = 2.43, p = 0.04] and increased migraine frequency (OR = 1.46 per additional attack/month, p<0.001) were significant independent predictors of poor sleep quality.

Conclusions

Migraine frequency is strongly associated with poor sleep quality, with individuals experiencing more frequent attacks reporting significantly worse sleep. Migraine severity and duration also showed positive associations with impaired sleep, while female gender emerged as an independent predictor. These findings underscore the need to routinely assess and manage sleep quality in migraine patients, particularly among women and those with high-frequency attacks. Interventions aimed at improving sleep hygiene and treating comorbid sleep disturbances may serve as an important component of comprehensive migraine management. Future research should explore the effectiveness of targeted sleep interventions in reducing migraine burden.