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Migraine is associated with livedo reticularis: a prospective study
Gretchen E Tietjen1, Lorie Gottwald, Mohamed M Al-Qasmi
1Department of Neurology, Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, USA.
Headache
|May 16, 2002
Summary
Migraine is linked to livedo reticularis, a skin condition, particularly in women. This association suggests a potential increased risk for thrombotic events like stroke in migraine patients with livedo reticularis.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Dermatology
- Vascular Medicine
Background:
- Livedo reticularis is a skin condition involving reddish-blue mottling due to narrowed arteries.
- A subset of livedo reticularis patients experience stroke without other risk factors (Sneddon syndrome).
- Migraine is a known risk factor for ischemic stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between livedo reticularis and migraine.
- To explore livedo reticularis as a potential indicator in migraine patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study in a general dermatology clinic.
- 281 consecutive patients interviewed for vascular risk factors and migraine (International Headache Society criteria).
- Dermatological examination to record livedo reticularis presence.
Main Results:
- Migraine was present in 27% of patients; livedo reticularis in 16%.
- Livedo reticularis was significantly more frequent in patients with migraine (26% vs. 12%).
- In women, migraine was associated with livedo reticularis (OR 2.3), stroke (OR 4.0), CAD (OR 3.5), and DVT (OR 3.2).
Conclusions:
- Migraine is associated with livedo reticularis and other vascular conditions in women.
- Livedo reticularis may indicate a higher thrombotic risk in migraineurs.
- Further research is needed to confirm increased thrombosis risk in migraineurs with livedo reticularis.