title: Risk factors of migraine-related brain white matter hyperintensities: an investigation of 186 patients.
abstract: Brain white matter hyperintensities are more prevalent in migraine patients than in the general population, but the pathogenesis and the risk factors of these hyperintensities are not fully elucidated. The authors analyzed the routine clinical data of 186 migraine patients who were referred to the Outpatient Headache Department of the Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Pécs, Hungary between 2007 and 2009: 58 patients with white matter hyperintensities and 128 patients without white matter hyperintensities on 3 T MRI. Significant associations between the presence of white matter hyperintensities and longer disease duration (14.4 vs. 19.9 years, p = 0.004), higher headache frequency (4.1 vs. 5.5 attacks/month, p = 0.017), hyperhomocysteinemia (incidence of hyperintensity is 9/9 = 100%, p = 0.009) and thyroid gland dysfunction (incidence of hyperintensity is 8/14 = 57.1%, p = 0.038) were found. These data support the theory that both the disease duration and the attack frequency have a key role in the formation of migraine-related brain white matter hyperintensities, but the effects of comorbid diseases may also contribute to the development of the hyperintensities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Pécs, 7623 Pécs, Rét u. 2, Pecs, Hungary.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trauninger
authors.forename: Eszter
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Leél-Ossy
authors.forename: David Olayinka
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Kamson
authors.forename: László
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pótó
authors.forename: Mihály
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aradi
authors.forename: Ferenc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kövér
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Imre
authors.forename: Hedvig
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Komáromy
authors.forename: Szilvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Erdélyi-Botor
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patzkó
authors.forename: Zoltán
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Pfund
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D054022:Cerebrum / Q000473:pathology*; D015897:Comorbidity / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D056784:Leukoencephalopathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D009413:Nerve Fibers, Myelinated / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult