Can vestibular migraine development be predicted in patients with new onset migraine headaches?

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to determine the clinical features associated with the development of vestibular migraine (VM) in patients with migraine headaches.

Methods: A cross-sectional, multicenter study was performed in nine tertiary neurology clinics. Patients with migraine without vestibular symptoms were classified as having migraine only (MO) and compared with patients with VM to determine any differences in clinical features, associated disorders, past medical history, and family history of migraine headaches. Moreover, we investigated the features that might predict the development of VM.

Results: Two hundred forty-four patients with MO and 461 patients with VM were included. The age of onset of headache attacks was later in life for patients with VM (p<0.001). Migraine without aura (MwoA) was significantly more common than migraine with aura (MwA) in patients with VM (p=0.016). All associated features of migraine headaches were significantly more frequent in patients with MO than patients with VM (p<0.005). The same was true for all triggers, including fasting, sleep disturbances, menstruation, stress, flickering lights, and smartphones/computer games (p<0.005). A family history of migraine headaches was more common in MO patients (p=0.002). However, a previous history of motion sickness was significantly more common in patients with VM (p<0.001), as was aural fullness/tinnitus accompanying attacks (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis indicated that aural fullness/tinnitus accompanying attacks and a previous history of motion sickness were risk factors for the development of VM.

Conclusion: Patients with migraine reporting aural symptoms accompanying attacks and motion sickness in their past medical history are at increased risk of vestibular attacks fulfilling the diagnosis of VM later in life.