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Published on: June 2, 2014
Mitochondrial migraine; a prevalence, impact and treatment efficacy cohort study
Laurie H Tiehuis1, Saskia Koene2, Christiaan G J Saris3
1Radboud University Medical Center Amalia Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Radboud Center for Mitochondrial Medicine, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Mitochondrial respiratory chain dysfunction may be predisposing for the development of migraine, reflected in high migraine prevalence in patients with mitochondrial disease. Prevalence and impact of migraine in patients with proven mitochondrial disease and the current treatment efficacy were studied using online questionnaires. Patients were selected at the Internal Medicine Department. Headache was reported by 34 (55%) out of 62 patients. Migraine-criteria were met by 85% of them. Efficacy of migraine treatment was achieved in 4 patients. Given the high prevalence of migraine and current treatment insufficiency, migraine is a major threat of quality of life patients with mitochondrial disease.
Insights
Mitochondrial respiratory chain dysfunction is linked to a high prevalence of migraine in patients with mitochondrial disease. Current treatments offer limited efficacy, significantly impacting patients' quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Mitochondrial Medicine
Background:
- Mitochondrial respiratory chain dysfunction is implicated in various diseases.
- High migraine prevalence is observed in individuals with mitochondrial disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and impact of migraine in patients with confirmed mitochondrial disease.
- To assess the efficacy of current migraine treatments in this population.
Main Methods:
- Online questionnaires were distributed to patients with proven mitochondrial disease.
- Patients were recruited from an Internal Medicine Department.
- Migraine diagnosis was based on established criteria.
Main Results:
- Headache was reported by 55% of the 62 patients.
- 85% of patients with headache met the criteria for migraine.
- Migraine treatment efficacy was observed in only 4 patients.
Conclusions:
- Migraine is highly prevalent in patients with mitochondrial disease.
- Current migraine treatments are largely insufficient for this group.
- Migraine poses a significant threat to the quality of life for patients with mitochondrial disease.
