Prevalence of Migraine Headache in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

Aim: Migraine headache and allergic rhinitis are both common disorders. Several studies have reported that migraine headache is more common in patients with allergic rhinitis. Aim of this study is to determine if the allergic sensitization is associated with the prevalence, frequency, and disability of migraine headache in patients with allergic rhinitis. Methods and Material: The study was conducted during the period February 2021-Sep 2021. During this period 100 patients of either gender who were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis clinically were selected and total serum IgE levels were estimated. Prevalence of migraine headache and degree of allergic sensitization was estimated in these patients. Results: A total of 100 patients with allergic rhinitis who presented to the outpatient department where studied, out of which 73 had migraine. Prevalence of migraine in patients with allergic rhinitis is higher in females compared to males. Males had a higher IgE levels. At the younger age group IgE levels were higher. Patients with higher levels of Ig E had more severe headaches compared to those with lower levels of Ig E. Patients with higher levels of Ig E required a longer duration of treatment compared to those with lower levels of IgE. Conclusions: Prevalence of migraine headaches is very high in patients with allergic rhinitis which shows that allergic rhinitis could be an individual risk factor for development of migraine headaches. Younger age and female sex are other contributory factors as prevalence of both allergic rhinitis and migraine is higher in these groups. Degree of allergic sensitisation determines the severity and frequency of headaches in those whom allergic rhinitis is a risk factor as evidenced by higher levels of Ig E.