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Published on: June 2, 2014
Migraine and endothelial function: The HUNT3 Study
Joakim Schjølberg Larsen1, Eli-Anne Skaug2, Ulrik Wisløff2,3
1Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway.
Insights
This study found no link between endothelial function, measured by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), and common headache disorders, including migraine. These findings suggest migraine may not impact vascular health in otherwise healthy individuals.
Area of Science:
- Vascular Biology
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Endothelial dysfunction is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
- Previous research on migraine and endothelial function has yielded conflicting results.
- This study investigates the link between flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and headache types.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and migraine with aura, migraine without aura, and tension-type headache.
- To assess endothelial function in relation to different headache diagnoses within a population-based sample.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the third Nord-Trøndelag Healthy Study (HUNT3).
- Measured FMD via ultrasound of the brachial artery in 4739 healthy adults.
- Analyzed cross-sectional associations between headache diagnoses and FMD using logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Mean FMD did not significantly differ among headache groups and headache-free controls.
- Multi-adjusted analyses revealed no consistent association between FMD levels and headache diagnoses.
- No significant relationship was observed between FMD quintiles and headache groups.
Conclusions:
- This large cross-sectional study found no relationship between flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and migraine or other headache diagnoses.
- The findings apply to otherwise healthy individuals without pulmonary or cardiovascular diseases.
- Endothelial function does not appear to be associated with common headache disorders in this population.
Background:
Reduced endothelial function is associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, but evidence on the association between migraine and endothelial function is conflicting. The aim of this population-based study was to examine the relationship between flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and migraine with aura, migraine without aura and tension-type headache.
Methods:
In the third Nord-Trøndelag Healthy Study (HUNT3) FMD was measured by ultrasound during reactive hyperaemia of the brachial artery in a sample of 4739 healthy adult participants, 3929 of whom answered headache questions. The cross-sectional association between different headache diagnoses and FMD was evaluated by logistic regression, using a categorical approach.
Results:
Mean FMD did not differ between the headache groups and headache-free controls. In multi-adjusted analyses, no consistent association was found between FMD quintiles and headache groups.
Conclusions:
There was no relationship between FMD and migraine or other headache diagnoses in this large cross-sectional study of otherwise healthy respondents including freedom from pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases.
