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Migraine Risk in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder: A Nationwide Cohort Study in South
Yeon Hak Chung1, Kyung-Do Han2, Jin Hyung Jung3
1Department of Neurology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea, yeonhak59@gmail.com.
Introduction:
Although the relationship between migraine and multiple sclerosis (MS) has been reported, the risk of migraine in MS and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the risk of migraine in the Korean MS and NMOSD populations.
Methods:
This study analyzed claims data from 1,492 patients with MS and 1,551 patients with NMOSD based on diagnostic codes in the Korean National Health Insurance Service. Migraine risk was compared with a control group (matched 1:5 for age, sex, and comorbidities) using Cox proportional hazards analysis. Patients aged <20 years and with previous migraine were excluded.
Results:
Migraine risk was higher in patients with MS (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-1.62) but did not differ significantly in patients with NMOSD (aHR 1.05; 95% CI: 0.87-1.27) compared to controls. No significant sex-based differences in migraine risk were observed. Patients with NMOSD showed decreasing risk with age (p for interaction = 0.040). Comorbidities like hypertension, diabetes, or dyslipidemia did not significantly alter migraine risk in either group.
Conclusion:
The study results revealed an increased risk of migraines in patients with MS but not in patients with NMSOD compared with matched controls.
Insights
Migraine risk is elevated in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients but not in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) patients compared to controls. This study clarifies migraine prevalence in these neurological conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The association between migraine and multiple sclerosis (MS) is known, but the migraine risk in MS and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) remains unclear.
- Investigating migraine risk in Korean populations with MS and NMOSD is crucial for understanding these neurological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the risk of migraine in Korean patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).
- To compare migraine prevalence between MS and NMOSD patients and a matched control group.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of Korean National Health Insurance Service claims data for 1,492 MS and 1,551 NMOSD patients.
- Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to compare migraine risk with a 1:5 matched control group (age, sex, comorbidities).
- Exclusion criteria included patients under 20 years old or with a prior history of migraine.
Main Results:
- Migraine risk was significantly higher in MS patients (aHR 1.37; 95% CI: 1.15-1.62) compared to controls.
- No significant difference in migraine risk was observed for NMOSD patients (aHR 1.05; 95% CI: 0.87-1.27).
- Migraine risk in NMOSD decreased with age (p=0.040), with no significant impact from common comorbidities.
Conclusions:
- The study confirms an increased risk of migraine in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).
- No elevated migraine risk was found in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) compared to controls.
- These findings differentiate migraine risk profiles between MS and NMOSD.
