Psoriasis and migraine

[Fred]

This study suggests there is an association between psoriasis and migraine.

Quote:

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Background:
Psoriasis and migraine share several pathogenetic mechanisms due to systemic inflammation, which increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Objective:
Our aim is to investigate the prevalence of migraine with (MA) and without aura (MO) in the psoriatic population, investigating a possible new comorbidity of the psoriatic disease.

Methods:
We referred 68 psoriatic patients to a 9 questions survey formulated on the basis of the International Headache Society (IHS) diagnostic criteria for migraine. Than, in the case of MA, the mean monthly number of migraine crises was assessed. Data of psoriatic patients were than compared with those of a psoriasis free control group composed of 235 migraine patients (with and without aura).

Results:
A clinical diagnosis of migraine was performed in 32 psoriasis patients with a great prevalence in women (F: 87.50% - M: 12.5%). Moreover we found a much higher prevalence (62.5%) of MA, with the remaining 37.5% diagnosed with MO. Comparing the prevalence of MA between psoriasis + migraine patients and the control group we observed a statistical significative difference (p<0.0001); furthermore the number of MA crises was significantly higher (p<0.0001) in patients with psoriasis with respect to the MA control group.

Conclusions:
We showed a significant association between psoriasis and migraine, especially MA, probably due to common pathogenetic mechanisms, but further studies are needed to assess their interplay in developing cardiovascular diseases.

Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com

*Early view funding unknown.

[Caroline]

Very interesting.
It is not a nice disease, certainly all those comorbidities do not give a nice future view.

I really wonder what is the connection between them. Is this because Psoriasis is an auto immune disease ? Do other auto immune diseases have the same comorbidities?

[Turnedlight]

Aha! I get migraines and I have had quite a few with auras as well, not to mention just the aura and no headache (still classed as a migraine I believe). Had one only a few nights ago

[jiml]

I've never had a migraine...and rarely have headaches ...

However my daughter that doesn't have psoriasis does suffer badly with them

[AmandaL]

Interesting, I suffer with migraines. I've had them since I was a teenager. My latest one was triggered by drinking fanta fruit twist

[Turnedlight]

It's interesting you know what triggered it, I usually just wake up in the night or morning and it's already bad - so I don't usually get the chance to take something earlier on to try and stop it.