Sex differences in prevalence of migraine trigger factors: A cross-sectional study.
Cephalalgia
; 41(6): 643-648, 2021 05.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33203218
ABSTRACT
AIM:
To examine the effect of sex on migraine trigger factors.METHODS:
Prevalence of 11 frequently reported trigger factors was determined in a cross-sectional study among migraine patients from a validated migraine database (n = 5725 females and n = 1061 males). Female-to-male odds ratios were calculated for each trigger, using a logistic regression model with attack frequency and migraine subtype (with or without aura) as covariates. Additionally, the effect of sex on total number of triggers per individual was determined.RESULTS:
The top three most reported triggers in women were menstruation (78%), stress (77%), and bright light (69%). Men reported stress (69%), bright light (63%), and sleep deprivation (60%) most frequently as provoking factors. The following triggers were more often reported by women than men Bright light (odds ratio 1.29 [95% CI 1.12-1.48]; p = 0.003), stress (1.47 [1.27-1.69]; p < 0.001), skipping a meal (1.24 [1.09-1.42]; p = 0.015), sleep deprivation (1.37 [1.20-1.57]; p < 0.001), high altitudes (1.70 [1.40-2.09]; p < 0.001), and weather changes (1.35 [1.18-1.55]; p < 0.001). Women reported more triggers than men, even when menstruation was disregarded (mean ± SD 4.6 ± 2.3 and 4.3 ± 2.3; p < 0.001).Conclusion:
Women report migraine trigger factors to be provocative of their attacks more frequently than men, which may be related to a lower migraine threshold due to sex hormonal changes.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Sleep Deprivation
/
Stress, Psychological
/
Sex Factors
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Menstruation
/
Migraine Disorders
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Cephalalgia
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: