Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 30, 2026
10:39
3D-Neuronavigation In Vivo Through a Patient's Brain During a Spontaneous Migraine Headache
Published on: June 2, 2014
Migraine and mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Markus Schürks1, Pamela M Rist, Robert E Shapiro
1Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 900 Commonwealth Avenue East, Boston, MA 02215–1204, USA. markus.schuerks@post.harvard.edu
Cephalalgia : an International Journal of Headache
|August 2, 2011
Summary
This study found no link between general migraine and increased mortality risk. However, migraine with aura may be associated with higher cardiovascular and coronary heart disease mortality, warranting further research.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder.
- Understanding its association with mortality is crucial for public health.
- Evidence on migraine and mortality risk remains inconclusive.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze existing evidence on the association between migraine and mortality.
- To investigate potential links between migraine subtypes and mortality outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of ten cohort studies published up to March 2011.
- Included studies examined all forms of migraine and specific subtypes like migraine with aura.
- Pooled analyses were conducted for all-cause, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality.
Main Results:
- No significant association was found between any migraine and all-cause, CVD, or CHD mortality.
- Moderate to high heterogeneity was observed among the included studies.
- Two studies indicated a potential increased risk of CVD and CHD mortality in individuals with migraine with aura.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support an increased mortality risk for general migraine.
- Migraine with aura may be linked to elevated CVD and CHD mortality, requiring further investigation.
- Given migraine's prevalence, definitive research on its mortality impact is a public health priority.
