Association of Serum Vitamin D Level in Patients with Migraine

Migraine is one of the commonest primary headache disorders associated with significant morbidity as well as reduced quality of life. As low serum vitamin D level was found in association with various neurologic and non-neurologic disorders, it may be associated with migraine as well. This study was designed to determine the association between low serum vitamin D levels and migraine. This cross-sectional comparative study was conducted in the Department of Neurology, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh from July 2019 to June 2021. Total 328 patients were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria following informed written consent and divided into two groups. One hundred and sixty-four (164) migraine patients were enrolled in migraine group and same number of age and gender-matched apparently healthy individuals were included in non-migraine group. Detailed history taking and clinical examinations were done and serum vitamin D level was measured in all participants. Demographic variables of both groups were calculated without any significant difference. The mean serum vitamin D level was measured 16.11±6.33 ng/ml in case group and 23.13±8.71 ng/ml in control group with a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). A significant difference was also found in relation to the frequency of migraine attacks (18.49±6.70 ng/ml with ≤3 episodes/month and 14.84±5.76 ng/ml with >3 episodes/month, p<0.001). Mean serum vitamin D was measured lower in moderate and severe disease (23.67±4.86 ng/ml in mild disease, 19.79±5.97 ng/ml in moderate disease,12.94±4.24 ng/ml in severe disease, p<0.001). No significant difference in serum vitamin D level was found in terms of presence or absence of aura. But serum vitamin D level was significantly lower in migraine patients having positive family history (p=0.002). Considering the above findings, it is evident that serum vitamin D level is most likely to be associated with migraine. Early detection of low serum vitamin D levels and measures to correct it may be an adjunctive management strategy in migraine.