Sex-related differences in migraine clinical features by frequency of occurrence: a cross-sectional study

The sex-related differences of migraine hold clinical relevance to achieve a better diagnosis and treatment. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate sex-related differences in migraine features, the impact, and health care resources for people who suffer from episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM).

184 patients (72 % women; 61.4 % with EM; mean (SD) age of 38.7 (10.4) years) were assessed through the Migraine Disability Assessment, the Short Form 36 Health Survey, the Beck Depression Inventory II and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Additionally, medication intake and medical assistance were recorded. Multivariate analyses were performed, stratifying by frequency of occurrence (EM and CM) and sex (men and women).

The results showed that women presented a greater number of symptoms (p=0.03), pain intensity (p<0.01), pain duration (p=0.03), disability (p=0.01), amount of symptomatic medication (p=0.04) and medical visits (p=0.001), as well as a worse physical role (p=0.004) than men with EM. However, no significant differences between them were found for CM (p>0.05). Moreover, it was identified that there was a significant increase in medication intake among people with CM compared to EM (p<0.001). It is worth noting that there were no significant differences by diagnosis and sex in emotional status (p>0.05).

Migraine features, impact and health care resources were greater in women than men with EM; yet no significant differences between them were found for CM. The findings of the present study may contribute to a better diagnosis and treatment response in people with migraines.