Migraine and Markers of Carotid Atherosclerosis in Middle-Aged Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the association between migraine and the markers of carotid artery disease.

Background: Migraine increases the risk of cardiovascular events, but its relationship with vascular dysfunction is unclear.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, middle-aged women with no known cardiovascular diseases underwent clinical, neurological, and laboratory evaluations; pulse wave velocity (PWV) assessment; and carotid artery ultrasonography. We divided the participants based on the presence of migraine and, further, based on the type of migraine. Associations between migraine and carotid thickening (intima-media thickness >0.9 mm), carotid plaques, or arterial stiffening (PWV >10 m/s) were evaluated using a multiple regression analysis.

Results: The study comprised 112/277 (40%) women with migraine, of whom 46/277 (17%) reported having an aura. Compared to the non-migraineurs, the migraine with aura group had an increased risk of diffuse carotid thickening (3/46 [6.8%] vs 2/165 [1.3%], adjusted OR = 7.12, 95% CI 1.05-48.49). Migraine without aura was associated with a low risk of carotid plaques (3/66 [4.7%] vs 26/165 [16.7%], adjusted OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.08-0.99) and arterial stiffening (21/66 [34.4%] vs 82/165 [51.2%], adjusted OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.19-0.79). There were no correlations between migraine characteristics and arterial stiffness or carotid thickness measurements.

Conclusion: Migraine with aura is associated with an increased risk of carotid thickening, and migraine without aura is associated with a low risk of carotid plaques and arterial stiffening.

Keywords: arterial stiffness; atherosclerosis; cardiovascular disease; carotid intima-media thickness; carotid plaques; migraine.