Chronic migraine in women is associated with insulin resistance: a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVE
Migraine is a common neurological disorder. It can be divided into episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM), based on headache frequency. Some studies have shown that insulin sensitivity is impaired in migraine; moreover, hypertension, diabetes and obesity are common in patients with CM. The aim of this study was to assess serum glucose, insulin levels and insulin resistance (IR) in a sample of episodic migraineurs, chronic migraineurs and non-pain healthy controls.


METHODS
Eighty-three women with EM, 83 with CM and 83 healthy controls were recruited. Headache was diagnosed according to the latest International Classification of Headache Disorders 2 criteria. Waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure were measured. Checked metabolic parameters included fasting glucose, the 2 h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (2 h OGTT), serum HbA1c, blood lipid profile, C-reactive protein and prolactin. The homeostasis model assessment formula was used to calculate IR.


RESULTS
A significant prevalence of IR in CM was observed (P = 0.002). No significant associations were found with fasting glycaemia, the 2 h OGTT, HbA1c, blood lipid profile, C-reactive protein, prolactin and waist circumference. Obesity (BMI >30 kg/m(2)) was associated with an increased risk of CM [odds ratio (OR) 2.4]. When the outcome of interest was the association between IR and obesity, the OR was significantly increased compared with IR alone (OR = 13.2).


CONCLUSIONS
This may suggest that CM is associated with IR status, particularly when it is in partnership with obesity.
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.
A
A
Fava
D
D
Pirritano
D
D
Consoli
M
M
Plastino
F
F
Casalinuovo
S
S
Cristofaro
C
C
Colica
C
C
Ermio
M
M
De Bartolo
C
C
Opipari
R
R
Lanzo
A
A
Consoli
D
D
Bosco
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055105:Waist Circumference
D001786:Blood Glucose
chronic migraine; episodic migraine; insulin resistance; metabolic syndrome