Migraine and tension headache comorbidity with hypothyroidism in Egypt

Abstract

Abstract Background Migraine, tension type headache (TTH), and hypothyroidism are clinical problems that affect patient daily activities and quality of life. Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential association between hypothyroidism in patients with migraine and TTH. Patients and methods Two hundred and twelve patients with migraine and TTH and one hundred control subjects underwent clinical evaluation, assessment of thyroid hormones, and thyroid ultrasound. Results Subclinical and overt hypothyroidism were significantly higher in patients with migraine and TTH (P = 0.001) than control subjects. Patients with migraine and TTH showed significantly more abnormal thyroid gland morphology than healthy control (P = 0.027). Hypothyroidism is significantly expressed in chronic TTH more than TTH with infrequent or frequent TTH (P = 0.009). Conclusions Patients having migraine and TTH more prone to develop hypothyroidism when compared with control group. Also patients with chronic TTH are susceptible to develop hypothyroidism (either subclinical or overt) when compared with patients having frequent or infrequent TTH.

Keywords

• Hypothyroidism
• Tension type headache
• Migraine
• Thyroid hormones
• Thyroid ultrasound