Evaluation of the function of the vestibular system in patients with migraine

Migraine is a common disorder with 1-year prevalence of 17.2% in women and 6% in men. Otoneurological symptoms such as phonophobia, tinnitus, vertigo, and dizziness are quite common in migraine. It is estimated that vertigo and dizziness are associated with migraine in 10% of all dizzy patients. The aim of the study was to evaluate the function of the vestibular system using electronystagmography (ENG) and videonystagmography (VNG) in patients with migraine compared to healthy controls.

Sixty-two patients (46 women and 16 men) aged 20-35 years (mean age: 28.4 years) with migraine were qualified to the study. All other illnesses that can cause dysfunction of the vestibular system were excluded. The control group consisted of 31 healthy volunteers fulfilling the same demographic criteria as the migraine group (mean age: 29.2 years).

Vertigo or dizziness was reported by 41 patients with migraine (66.1%). In ENG/VNG examination changes suggesting impairment of the peripheral or central part of the vestibular system were found in 34 patients (54.8%). In the control group, any abnormalities in ENG/VNG examination were present in 22.6% of individuals (p=0.0031). No statistical significance was found in the frequency of any ENG/VNG abnormalities in subgroups of patients with migraine with aura and migraine without aura. Factors predisposing to dysfunction of the vestibular system in our group of migraineurs were the frequency and duration of the migraine.

Vertigo and dizziness are frequent co-existing symptoms in patients with migraine. ENG/VNG abnormali-ties are significantly more frequent in migraineurs than in healthy controls.