Migraine with or without metabolic syndrome: Is there any difference?

Background: Migraine is a common neurological disorder that affects 12-15 percent of the general population. There are few studies in the literature comparing various characteristics of patients with migraine with and without metabolic syndrome with variable results. This study identifies distinct patterns in migraine frequency, severity, or triggers associated with patients with migraine with and without metabolic syndrome. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study and patients fulfilling the International Classification of Headache Disorders-3^rd edition (ICHD-3) for defining migraine were included in the study. National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-Third Report was used to define metabolic syndrome. Headache severity [visual analog scale (VAS) scoring] and disability grading [Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) scoring] were noted. We compared various clinical parameters in patients with migraine with and without metabolic syndrome. Results: A total of 204 patients with migraine were recruited. We found that the majority of migraineurs were women (female to male ratio = 4.2:1), with a mean age of 28 years (12-58). A total of 25 patients with migraine (12.25%) had metabolic syndrome. In migraineurs with metabolic syndrome, the mean age at onset, female preponderance, and mean duration of illness were significantly higher than migraineurs without metabolic syndrome. Those with and without metabolic syndrome did not significantly differ from one another in terms of migraine triggers, frequency, severity of headache, or disability severity. Conclusion: This study showed that metabolic syndrome was present in about 12% of patients with migraine. Individuals with metabolic syndrome had longer mean durations of illness and female preponderance and were older at initial presentation compared to migraineurs without metabolic syndrome.