Evaluation of Non-specific Cerebral White Matter Lesions and Related Factors in Patients with Migraine with Aura

Abstract

Aim:Cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMLs) are known to be observed in migraine patients but there only are a handful of studies focused on WMLs in migraine with aura (MWA). In this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of WML and demographic and environmental factors associated with WML in patients with MWA.Methods:A total of 112 patients diagnosed with migraine were enrolled. Detailed systemic and neurological examinations, blood pressure, weight and height measurements, presence of hypertension, smoking status, clinical and demographical data and visual analog scale, allodynia symptom checklist (ASC) and migraine disability assessment scale scores were recorded. The migraine groups with and without aura were compared statistically. A logistic regression analysis was performed to analyse the risk factors for the development of WMLs.Results:Supratentorial and periventricular WMLs were more frequent in patients with MWA (p=0.008). Presence of aura and longer disease duration were independent risk factors for the development of WMLs (p=0.0020 and p=0.019, respectively). Migraine attack frequency, and ASC scores were higher in patients with MWA (p=0.005, p=0.015 and p<0.001, respectively).Conclusion:Our results show a significant increase in non-specific WMLs in patients with MWA. A longer disease duration and presence of aura are significant risk factors for development of these lesions. Our findings warrant further research to validate our result.

Keywords

• migraine with aura
• migraine without aura
• magnetic resonance
• cerebral white matter
• periventricular