title: The influence of weather on migraine - are migraine attacks predictable?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed at elucidating a potential correlation between specific meteorological variables and the prevalence and intensity of migraine attacks as well as exploring a potential individual predictability of a migraine attack based on meteorological variables and their changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Attack prevalence and intensity of 100 migraineurs were correlated with atmospheric pressure, relative air humidity, and ambient temperature in 4-h intervals over 12 consecutive months. For each correlation, meteorological parameters at the time of the migraine attack as well as their variation within the preceding 24 h were analyzed. For migraineurs showing a positive correlation, logistic regression analysis was used to assess the predictability of a migraine attack based on meteorological information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a subgroup of migraineurs, a significant weather sensitivity could be observed. In contrast, pooled analysis of all patients did not reveal a significant association. An individual prediction of a migraine attack based on meteorological data was not possible, mainly as a result of the small prevalence of attacks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that only a subgroup of migraineurs is sensitive to specific weather conditions. Our findings may provide an explanation as to why previous studies, which commonly rely on a pooled analysis, show inconclusive results. The lack of individual attack predictability indicates that the use of preventive measures based on meteorological conditions is not feasible.
authors: Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: Hoffmann
authors: Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Tonio
authors: T
authors: Schirra
authors: Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Hendra
authors: H
authors: Lo
authors: Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Lars
authors: L
authors: Neeb
authors: Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
authors: Uwe
authors: U
authors: Reuter
authors: Institute of Biometry and Clinical Epidemiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany ; Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Applied Biometry Silcherstraße 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
authors: Peter
authors: P
authors: Martus
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