Sleep Alterations in Female College Students with Migraines

Background: Many factors are thought to potentially trigger migraines, among which sleep disturbances are one of the most frequently reported. Both sleep disorders and migraines affect more women than men. This study aims to analyze sleep alterations in young adult women with migraines and how they are related to the presence, frequency, intensity, and disability of migraines in this population. Methods: Fifty-one female university students with physician-diagnosed migraines and 55 healthy female university students completed surveys assessing demographic information and frequency, intensity, and disability of migraines and sleep quality variables. Results: No differences in sleep quality were found between migraine subjects and healthy women ( p = 0.815), but women with migraines presented higher daytime somnolence ( p = 0.010), greater sleep disruptions ( p = 0.002), and decreased sleep adequacy ( p = 0.019). The presence of a migraine was significantly related to daytime somnolence ( p = 0.003) and sleep disruptions ( p = 0.021). Migraine-related disability was associated with sleep disruptions ( p = 0.002), snoring ( p = 0.016), and a decreased quantity of sleep ( p = 0.040). Migraine frequency was related to sleep disturbance ( p = 0.003) and snoring ( p < 0.001). The intensity of migraines was associated with sleep disruptions ( p = 0.004). Conclusions: Our results suggest a relationship between migraines and sleep alterations.