Abstract
In this prospective cohort study, characteristics of perimenstrual and non-perimenstrual migraine attacks in women were compared with migraine attacks in men. Women report longer migraine attacks and more accompanying symptoms than men in cross-sectional questionnaire studies, but this has not been confirmed in longitudinal studies. Supposed differences could result from different characteristics specific to perimenstrual migraine attacks, or of attacks in women in general. This cohort study was performed among patients with migraine who were treated at the Leiden Headache Clinic. We assessed differences in migraine attack characteristics between men and women who were prospectively followed by a previously validated electronic headache diary. The primary outcome was "attack" duration. Differences between perimenstrual (Days -2 to +3 of the menstrual cycle) and non-perimenstrual attacks in women versus attacks in men were corrected for age, chronic migraine, and medication overuse headache. A total of 1347 women and 284 men were included, reflecting the preponderance of women in migraine prevalence. Crude median (first and third quartile [Q1-Q3]) attack duration in men was 32.1 [17.7-53.6] h, compared to 36.7 [21.9-62.4] h for non-perimenstrual migraine attacks and 44.4 [17.9-79.0] h for perimenstrual migraine attacks in women. After correction for confounding, perimenstrual migraine attacks were 1.62 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.47-1.79; p < 0.001) and non-perimenstrual 1.15(95% CI 1.05-1.25; p=0.003) times longer compared to migraine attacks in men. The mean relapse percentage in men was 9.2%, compared to 12.6% for non-perimenstrual migraine attacks, and 15.7% for perimenstrual migraine attacks. Relapse risk was greater for perimenstrual (odds ratio [OR] 2.39, 95% CI 1.93-2.95; p < 0.001), but not for non-perimenstrual (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.97-1.45; p=0.060) attacks. Migraine attacks in women were more often accompanied by photophobia, phonophobia, and nausea, but less often aura. Compared to attacks in men, both perimenstrual and non-perimenstrual migraine attacks are of longer duration and are more often accompanied by associated symptoms. A sex-specific approach to migraine treatment and research is needed.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
