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. 2023 May;98(5):701-712.
doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2023.01.010.

Association of Migraine and Vasomotor Symptoms

Stephanie S Faubion  1 , Taryn Smith  2 , Jacqueline Thielen  2 , Juliana M Kling  3 , Chrisandra L Shufelt  2 , Kristin Mara  4 , Felicity Enders  4 , Ekta Kapoor  5
Affiliations

Association of Migraine and Vasomotor Symptoms

Stephanie S Faubion et al. Mayo Clin Proc. 2023 May.

Abstract

Objective: To further examine a potential link between migraine and vasomotor symptoms as well as hypertension as a cardiovascular disease risk factor, potentially explaining the association in midlife women.

Patients and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis from the Data Registry on Experiences of Aging, Menopause, and Sexuality using questionnaire data from women aged 45 to 60 years seen in women's clinics at a tertiary care center from May 15, 2015, through January 31, 2022. A history of migraine was self-reported; menopause symptoms were assessed with the Menopause Rating Scale. Associations between migraine and vasomotor symptoms were evaluated utilizing multivariable logistic regression models adjusting for multiple factors.

Results: Of 5708 women included in the analysis, 1354 (23.7%) reported a migraine history. The total cohort had a mean age of 52.8 years, most (5184 [90.8%]) were White, and 3348 (58.7%) were postmenopausal. In adjusted analysis, women with migraine were significantly more likely to have severe/very severe hot flashes vs no hot flashes compared with women without migraine (odds ratio, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.66; P=.007). Migraine was associated with a diagnosis of hypertension in adjusted analysis (odds ratio, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.55; P=.002).

Conclusion: This large cross-sectional study confirms an association between migraine and vasomotor symptoms. Migraine also was associated with hypertension, potentially providing a link with cardiovascular disease risk. Given the high prevalence of migraine in women, this association may help identify those at risk for more severe menopause symptoms.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest:

SSF-none

TS-none

JT-none

JMK- past consulting for Proctor and Gamble and Triangle Insights group

CLS - none

KM-none

FE-none

EK-consultant for Mithra Pharmaceuticals, Scynexis, and Astellas Pharma and for Womaness

Figures

Figure:
Figure:. Adjusted association between hypertension and the combination of history of migraine and hot flash severity from multivariable logistic regression
Odds ratios have been adjusted for menopause status, body mass index, smoking status, systemic hormone therapy, anxiety, depression, and if they were seen during the COVID-19 pandemic. HTN- hypertension
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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