Migraine and endothelial function: The HUNT3 Study.

Abstract

Background: Reduced endothelial function is associated with elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, but evidence on the association between migraine and endothelial function is conflicting. The aim of this population-based study was to examine the relationship between flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) and migraine with aura, migraine without aura and tension-type headache.

Methods: In the third Nord-Trøndelag Healthy Study (HUNT3) FMD was measured by ultrasound during reactive hyperaemia of the brachial artery in a sample of 4739 healthy adult participants, 3929 of whom answered headache questions. The cross-sectional association between different headache diagnoses and FMD was evaluated by logistic regression, using a categorical approach.

Results: Mean FMD did not differ between the headache groups and headache-free controls. In multi-adjusted analyses, no consistent association was found between FMD quintiles and headache groups.

Conclusions: There was no relationship between FMD and migraine or other headache diagnoses in this large cross-sectional study of otherwise healthy respondents including freedom from pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases.