The prognosis of migraine.
OBJECTIVE
The prognosis of migraine is poorly studied and research in this regard is in its infancy. Migraine is a chronic disorder with episodic attacks with a highly variable long-term prognosis. In many, migraine may have a very benign (complete remission) or relatively benign (partial remission) prognosis. In some, migraine persists and in others, it progresses.


RESULTS
A recent population study showed that, over a 1-year period, 84% of the patients with migraine persisted with this diagnosis (migraine persistence); around 10% had 1-year complete clinical remission, and 3% had partial remission; the other 3% developed chronic migraine. Long-term studies support the concept that remission increases with age and also that risk factors for progression have been identified (e.g. medication overuse, obesity, etc.).


CONCLUSIONS
Identifying predictors of migraine prognosis is, therefore, of great scientific and clinical interest. Herein we review the prognosis of migraine and risk factors for the above-mentioned nonexclusive possibilities.
Bigal
Marcelo E
ME
Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA. mbigal@aecom.yu.edu
Lipton
Richard B
RB
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D009656:North America / Q000453:epidemiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013020:South America / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome