Venous leg symptoms in migraineurs: a potential clue on the pathophysiology of migraine

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a neurovascular disorder which cerebral venous congestion might have role in pathogenesis. The objective was to assess the association between venous disease and migraine by using the Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study-Quality of Life/Symptoms (VEINES-QoL/Sym) questionnaire in migraineurs and non-migraineurs.METHODS: The study was designed as a non-randomized, prospective cohort study and consisted of patients diagnosed with migraine and age-, sex- matched healthy subjects without migraine. All participants were examined for the presence of chronic venous disease (CVD). VEINES-Sym questionnaire was applied to assess venous symptoms. The Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) questionnaire was used to assess the severity of disease in migraineurs.RESULTS: Participants were classified into two groups as migraine-positive group (N.=130) and migraine-negative group (N.=130). Migraine patients and control group were comparable in terms of clinical status and demographic parameters. Total VEINES-Sym score was lower in patients with migraine compared to control group (34.4±8.7, 37.6±8.12, P=0.003, respectively). Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between VEINES-Sym score and total MIDAS disability score (r=-0.33, P<0.001) and MIDAS severity levels (little or no, mild, moderate, severe) (r=-0.266, P=0.003) of the migraineurs. Logistic regression analysis revealed that VEINES-Sym score is an independent and statistically significant associate of migraine (OR=0.95, 95% CI:0.92-0.98, P=0.001).CONCLUSIONS: We have documented an independent association between migraine and VEINES-Sym score indicating possible pathophysiological link between migraine and CVD. Further studies are warranted to figure out the pathophysiological associations between migraine and venous vascular pathology and peripheral varicose vein.