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Observational Study
. 2024 Aug;124(4):1263-1271.
doi: 10.1007/s13760-024-02484-2. Epub 2024 Jun 15.

Investigating migraine phenotype and dynamics in women with endometriosis: an observational pilot study

Gabriele Merki-Feld  1   2 , Hanna Dietrich  3 , Patrick Imesch  4 , Andreas R Gantenbein  5   6 , Peter Sandor  5 , Christoph J Schankin  7
Affiliations
Observational Study

Investigating migraine phenotype and dynamics in women with endometriosis: an observational pilot study

Gabriele Merki-Feld et al. Acta Neurol Belg. 2024 Aug.

Abstract

Introduction: Migraine and endometriosis are chronic disabling pain conditions. There is evidence for a shared genetic background. Migraine phenotype and course in patients with the comorbidity are insufficient investigated. Both conditions can be treated with progestins.

Methods: For this observational study we included women with migraine and endometriosis, visiting our clinic from 2015 to 2021. We collected available information from charts and complemented these data by a structured phone interview to collect more specific information on migraine and the course of both diseases.

Results: From 344 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria, 94 suffered from both, endometriosis and migraine. Migraine with aura was reported by 41% of the patients and was associated with earlier onset of migraine (age < 17 years (OR 6.54) and with a history of medication overuse headache (OR 9.9, CI 1.6-59.4). Present monthly migraine frequency (1.5 ± 2.6) was significantly lower than five years before the interview (2.9 ± 4.64). There was a correlation between medication overuse headache and use of analgesics more than 3 days/months for dysmenorrhoea (p < 0.03). ASRM endometriosis score was not associated with migraine characteristics.

Conclusions: We conclude that the comorbidity of endometriosis is highly linked to migraine with aura. Migraine onset in these patients was earlier. Further studies are needed to explore, if the observed decrease in migraine frequency can be attributed to recent endometriosis surgery and to understand if early diagnosis and treatment of both conditions may contribute to improve the course of both conditions. Trial registration BASEC Nr. 2021-00285.

Keywords: Aura; Dysmenorrhea; Endometriosis; Migraine.

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Conflict of interest statement

GSM: Reports fee for advisory board and presentations for/from Novartis, Eli Lilly, Almirall Lundbeck. CJS: Reports fees for consulting, advisory boards, presentations, and travel support for/from Novartis, Eli Lilly, TEVA Pharmaceuticals, Pfizer, Allergan, Abbvie, Almirall, Amgen, Lundbeck, MindMed, Grünenthal. He is part-time-employee at Zynnon. He has received research support from Swiss Heart Foundation, Eye on Vision Foundation, Baasch-Medicus Foundation, German Migraine and Headache Society, Visual Snow Syndrome Germany e.V. ARG has received honoraria for speaking or consulting from Amgen, Abbvie, Allergan, Biomed, Curatis, EliLilly, Lundbeck, Novartis, Sanofi and TEVA. PS has received honoraria for advisory boards from Novartis, Eli Lilly, Almirall. HD declares no CO. PI declares no COI.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The flowchart containing the recruiting, inclusion and data collection process
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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