Are vascular disorders more prevalent in the relatives of children and adolescents with migraine?
The objective of the study was to assess whether a family history of vascular disorders is more common in children and adolescents with migraine than in the general population. Family history of stroke, arterial hypertension, myocardial infarction and diabetes was investigated by history taking in relatives of ambulatory children and young adults with migraine and in a control group. The odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were used as a risk measure. Using univariate and multivariate (logistic regression) analysis, family history was assessed in the whole sample and in subgroups by sex and age, degree of relationship (parents and grandparents vs. relatives), disease type (migraine with and without aura), and type of vascular disorder. The sample included 143 cases (migraine with aura 35, migraine without aura 108) and 164 controls aged 3-24 years (mean 12 +/- 3.8 years). Patients with migraine were at increased risk of vascular disorders in parents and grandparents but not in all relatives. Multivariate analysis indicated family history of stroke as most common only in boys. In conclusion, our study provides some clues to the assumption that migraine and vascular disorders have common pathogenic mechanisms and that genetic susceptibility plays a role in increasing the risk of migraine in the offspring of families with one or more cerebrovascular or cardiovascular conditions.
Lanzi
G
G
Department of Child Neurology and Psychiatry, IRCCS Casimiro Mondino Foundation, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy. glanzi@unipv.it
Termine
C
C
Rossi
M
M
Ferrari Ginevra
O
O
D'Arrigo
S
S
Amica
I
I
Mongelli
A
A
Avantaggiato
P
P
Beghi
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000235:genetics*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*