The prevalence of migraine in Menière's disease

Abstract

This study attempted to determine the prevalence of migraine in unilateral classic Menière's disease and vestibular Menière's disease. Diagnostic criteria for these three entities were identified and charts of patients with episodic vertigo were reviewed. A questionnaire was designed to assess the prevalence of migraine using criteria established previously by other authors. Questionnaires were mailed to patients with classic Menière's disease, patients with vestibular Menière's disease, and a normal control group. The response rates from the questionnaires in the three groups were 75%, 70%, and 36%. The percentages of the respondents who met the predetermined criteria for migraine in the three groups were 22%, 81%, and 33%. The significant difference in migraine prevalence between classic and vestibular Menière's disease suggests the possibility of different etiologies for the two entities.