title: The change of neutrophils/lymphocytes ratio in migraine attacks: A case-controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  As commonly seen symptoms, headaches are among the most frequently encountered health challenges in emergency rooms by healthcare professionals. Among one of the most commonly seen and primary headaches is migraine. Migraines are mostly accompanied by functional deficits.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To observe the changes of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio occurring during migraine attacks.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study where hospital records of patients previously diagnosed with migraine and admitted to the emergency with the complaints of attacks between May 2014 and January 2015 were investigated. All patients in the study were evaluated as to age, gender and complete blood count. Additionally, a healthy control group was formed with individuals with no disorders. By also evaluating the same features in the controls, the values found in the patients and controls alike were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The values of white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil, hemoglobin, thrombocyte and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio determined in the patient group (n = 92) were statistically compared with those of the controls (n = 67). Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio during the attacks was found higher in the patients, compared to the controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio is a sign of inflammation, and we consider that this ratio will also increase during migraine attacks, as with other inflammatory and acute processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Baskent University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Keziban Ucar
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Karabulut
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Baskent University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tomris Ugur
authors.initials: TU
authors.lastname: Egercioglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pubic Health, Necmettin Erbakan University, Meram Medical Faculty, Konya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uyar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonary Dissease, Diyarbakır Memorial Hospital, Diyarbakır, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yildiz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ucar
keywords: Headaches; Inflammation; Migraine; Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio