Role of Gender and Serum Immunoglobulin E (IGE) levels on Severity of Migraine.

AIM: Migraine headache is a common disorders. Several studies have reported that migraine headache is more common in patients with allergy. AIM of this study is to determine if the allergic sensitization is associated with the prevalence, frequency, and disability of migraine headaches.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted during the period August 2013. During this period 100 patients of either gender who were diagnosed with migraine were selected and total serum Immunoglobulin E (IGE) levels were estimated. Prevalence of migraine headache and degree of allergic sensitization was estimated in these patients. Severity of migraine was assessed using the MIDAS score. Statistical Analysis : Descriptive tables were generated showing the demographic and clinical characteristics of participants stratified by age and sex. Differences between subject groups were assessed by chi-square test. Correlation between severity of migraine and IgE levels was calculated using Pearson correlation.

RESULTS: A total of 100 patients with migraine who presented to the outpatient department where studied. Prevalence of migraine was found to be higher in females compared to males. At the younger age group IgE levels were higher. Patients with higher levels of IgE had more severe headaches compared to those with lower levels of IgE. Patients with higher levels of IgE required a longer duration of treatment compared to those with lower levels of IgE.

CONCLUSION: Prevalence of migraine is high among females. Younger age and female sex are other contributory factors as prevalence of migraine is higher in these groups. Degree of allergic sensitisation determines the severity and frequency of headaches in those whom allergic rhinitis is a risk factor as evidenced by higher levels of IgE.