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Top 5 Most-Read Migraine Articles of 2021
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This year's most-read migraine articles covered a range of topics, such as new causes of migraine, its link to bipolar disorder, and COVID-19's impact on existing migraine.
AJMC.com's most-read migraine articles this year covered a wide range of topics, including its link to patent foramen ovale and bipolar disorder, new causes of migraine, and effects of vertigo and COVID-19 on different types of migraine.
Here are the 5 most-read migraine articles of 2021.
5. Review Explores Association Between Migraine and Patent Foramen Ovale
According to a review focused on in this January article, a dose-response relationship may exist between migraine and patent foramen ovale (PFO). Among other findings, the review showed the incidence of PFO in chronic migraine, with aura or without aura, is higher. However, the authors cautioned that more work needs to be done in terms of patient selection, in addition to the inclusion of an antiplatelet control group for PFO closure interventions, to uncover possible beneficial results for migraineurs in clinical trials.
4. Understanding the Link Between Bipolar Disorder, Migraine
This February article discussed a review outlining potential mechanisms accounting for comorbid bipolar disorder and migraine and examined therapeutic targets for treatment to improve prognosis in these patients. Because bipolar disorder is more closely related to comorbid migraine than parental migraine, the comorbidity may also be attributed to nongenetic factors. Chronic inflammation, defined as a disturbance of the balance between oxidative stress and the antioxidative stress response, in addition to the regulation of nitrosative stress, may both play a role in pathogenesis.
3. Researchers Uncover New Potential Migraine Cause
Analyses of genome-wide association studies revealed the potential role metabolite levels play in migraine pathophysiology, according to this October article. A total of 316 unique blood metabolite levels were assessed in relation to their impact on migraine risk. Researchers found significant genome-wide genetic overlap between migraine and 44 metabolites, higher levels of fatty acids in migraineurs, and other important discoveries.
2. Study Compares Vertigo’s Effects on Patients With Vestibular Migraine, BPPV
The emotional, functional, and physical effects of vertigo on patients with vestibular migraine (VM) were more significant compared with the experiences of patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), as reported by this January story. Apart from BPPV, VM is the most common cause of spontaneous vertigo attacks. According to the study, patients with VM had significantly higher Dizziness Handicap Inventory Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale scores compared with patients with BPPV. Additionally, patients with VM were more likely to suffer from dizziness, depression, and anxiety.
1. Understanding COVID-19’s Impact on Existing, New-Onset Migraine and TTH
After contracting COVID-19, patients reported a worsening of primary headache, while headaches related to COVID-19 were severe and presented as a migraine phenotype, according to study results discussed in this August article. This study showed that COVID-19 has a significant negative impact on patients with pre-existing primary headache disorder and that de novo primary headache is frequent post COVID-19.
