Clinical Characteristics of Migraine in Twelve Sudanese families

Abstract

Introduction: Migraine headache is characterized by certain clinical features that were compiled according to certain criteria set by the international headache society (IHS) so as to provide a standardized definition, diagnosis and classification of headaches for both clinical practice and research studies. Aims:The aim of this study is to determine the clinical characteristics of migraine in Sudanese families and whether they adhere to international criteria set by the IHS. Patients and Methods:Following the description of the clinically diagnosed index case, a detailed validated questionnaire based on the IHS was distributed to all family members affected as well as non-affected after giving an informed consent. The responding family members were then classified as migraineurs and nonmigraineurs after analysis of the questionnaire and confirmation of the diagnosis by two neurologists. Results:From the 175 subjects who agreed to participate (from twelve pedigrees) 107 were migraineurs (70.1% females, 29.9 % males). Both migraine with aura (MA) and migraine without aura(MO) co-exist in the same family and even in the same individual with the most common migraine type being MO (51.4%,N=55), followed by MA+MO (32.7%, N=35) and MA (15.9 %, N=17). Unilateral location, presence of nausea, photophobia and aggravation by exercise showed significant results (P value 0.000). Conclusions:The presentation of migraine headache showed results similar to that described by the HIS 2nd edition in most of the criteria and differed in others. Comorbidity with a number of diseases and migraine coexist.