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Meta-Analysis
. 2005 Jan 8;330(7482):63.
doi: 10.1136/bmj.38302.504063.8F. Epub 2004 Dec 13.

Risk of ischaemic stroke in people with migraine: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Mahyar Etminan  1 , Bahi Takkouche, Francisco Caamaño Isorna, Ali Samii
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Risk of ischaemic stroke in people with migraine: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Mahyar Etminan et al. BMJ. .

Erratum in

  • BMJ. 2005 Feb 12;330(7487):345
  • BMJ. 2005 Mar 12;330(7491):596

Abstract

Objective: To explore the association between migraine and risk of ischaemic stroke.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Data sources: Observational studies published between 1966 and June 2004 (identified through Medline and Embase) that examined the association between migraine and risk of ischaemic stroke.

Results: 14 studies (11 case-control studies and 3 cohort studies) were identified. These studies suggest that the risk of stroke is increased in people with migraine (relative risk 2.16, 95% confidence interval 1.89 to 2.48). This increase in risk was consistent in people who had migraine with aura (relative risk 2.27, 1.61 to 3.19) and migraine without aura (relative risk 1.83, 1.06 to 3.15), as well as in those taking oral contraceptives (relative risk 8.72, 5.05 to 15.05).

Conclusions: Data from observational studies suggest that migraine may be a risk factor in developing stroke. More studies are needed to explore the mechanism of this potential association. In addition, the risk of migraine among users of oral contraceptives must be further investigated.

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Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
Forest plot of the studies of migraine and ischaemic stroke
Fig 2
Fig 2
Funnel plot of the studies of migraine and ischaemic stroke
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • Migraine and ischaemic stroke.
    Thomas DJ. Thomas DJ. BMJ. 2005 Jan 8;330(7482):54-5. doi: 10.1136/bmj.330.7482.54. BMJ. 2005. PMID: 15637351 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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