Retinal migraine

Abstract

The relationship between migraine and a large number of other diseases has been studied to varying degrees. Both clinical and population-based studies, cross-sectional and longitudinal, have been performed, indicating a relationship of migraine with ischaemic stroke, epilepsy, vertigo, psychiatric disorders, sleep disorders, pain disorders, and others. The association of migraine with depression is one of the most extensively studied comorbidities. The bidirectional nature of this comorbidity indicates possible shared genetic factors. Furthermore, the risk of migraine chronification is increased in migraine patients with a depression. Also, anxiety and bipolar disorder show clear associations with migraine. Sleep disorders have been reported to occur more often in migraineurs than in persons without migraine. A clear association was found for restless legs syndrome and familial advanced sleep phase syndrome. Furthermore, associations have been described with insomnia, daytime sleepiness, sleep apnoea, and narcolepsy. Among pain disorders associated with migraine are low back pain, fibromyalgia, and abdominal pain. The magnitude and the background of these comorbidities remain unclear, and should be further investigated. Other described comorbidities of migraine include syncope, movement disorders, asthma and allergies, gynaecological disturbances, obesity, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and cancer.