Migraine as a risk factor for ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Abstract

Background

Migraine and stroke are neurovascular diseases that have become a public health problem and a relatively high economic burden. The relationship between migraine and stroke has been described in the literature for a long time. Several studies reveal that migraine can be a risk factor for stroke.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed using the PRISMA method and keywords according to MeSH terms to prepare this systematic review. We included published articles discussing migraine as a risk factor for ischemic stroke with a cohort study design and English article and listed the statistical value of the study.

Results

In our meta-analysis, we found that migraine significantly increases the incidence of ischemic stroke. There were 12 studies included in this systematic review, and a meta-analysis was performed. The results showed a significant association between migraine and ischemic stroke (HR 1.205, 95% CI 1.151–1.262 p = 0.000), migraine with aura and ischemic stroke (HR 1.442, 95% CI 1.241–1.675 p = 0.000), and migraine without aura and ischemic stroke (HR 1.126, 95% CI 1.048–1.211 p = 0.001). The exact mechanism of stroke caused by migraine is still unclear, although, in some theories, several mechanisms have been described that are thought to be the cause of stroke. Several important points of the cause of stroke in migraine are hemodynamic changes, endothelial dysfunction, cervical artery dissection, vascular reactivity, hypercoagulability, and abortive migraine drugs.

Conclusions

Both migraine with aura and without aura are risk factors for ischemic stroke. Several mechanisms that may cause ischemic stroke in migraine have been described, of which CSD-induced endothelial dysfunction is the primary pathophysiology of ischemic stroke in migraine.

Introduction

Previous research has looked at the relationship between stroke and migraine. Stroke is the world's second most significant cause of death and the third leading cause of disability, with a prevalence of 2.9%, particularly among males. On the other hand, migraine affects roughly 13% of the population, with a female predominance, particularly among those of reproductive age. Although the origin of migraine-related stroke is unknown, it is thought that migraine might cause brain ischemia, leading to stroke. Migraine strokes are highly uncommon, accounting for only 0.8% of all strokes [1].

Migraine might be an unintentional risk factor for stroke, which increases with age. According to a prospective study, migraine doubled the chance of having an ischemic stroke [2]. Varying migraine subtypes have different reports. The relative risk (RR) of migraine with aura was 2.16 and increased with the number of attacks. In the case of migraine without aura, several systematic evaluations conclude that it is not a risk factor for stroke. However, this finding is debatable, because multiple cohort studies have found that migraine with and without aura are risk factors for stroke, with migraine with aura having a higher risk. Individually, migraine and stroke are diseases that frequently occur and become a primary social concern, so the interaction between these two diseases must be understood and researched [3].

Migraine is a neurological condition caused by cortical spreading depression (CSD). When CSD occurs, blood flow to the brain, particularly the posterior circulation, increases for around 1–2 min, causing tissue hyperoxia. It is immediately followed by neuronal suppression and hypoperfusion, which lasts 1–2 h and results in a 20–30% reduction in blood flow to the brain, resulting in an oligemic situation. Reduced blood flow alone is not enough to kill cells in typical circumstances. However, if the CSD situation is repeated, the neuron cells will grow more sensitive, and the ischemia threshold will drop, potentially resulting in cell death [4].

In migraine, endothelial dysfunction plays a part in the stroke process. During CSD, proinflammatory cytokines promote endothelial dysfunction, which results in reduced vascular responsiveness, such as vasodilation and vasoconstriction. Endothelial microparticles (EMP), endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs), high-sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP), and endothelin-1 are some of the biomarkers that indicate endothelial dysfunction in migraine (ET-1) [5].

Atherosclerosis is one of the risk factors for thrombus formation, which can lead to ischemic stroke. The link between migraine and atherosclerosis has been demonstrated in several investigations. The carotid intima–media thickness (CIMT) has been used in various analyses. CIMT has been shown to increase in multiple studies [6]. According to Besir and colleagues, CIMT values were more significant in migraine patients, with a mean CIMT value of 0.493 0.074 mm in migraine patients and 0.409 0.053 mm in control patients. According to one study, the frequency and length of migraines are also significant factors in the development of atherosclerosis [7].

Genetic Polymorphism in the MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) gene is a gene that mediates the increased risk of ischemic stroke in migraine. MTHFR encodes enzymes for folate and homocysteine metabolism. Deletion of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE-DD) gene polymorphism may also be a possibility. ACE-DD is associated with vWF, venous thrombophilia, hypercoagulability, increased vascular smooth muscle tone, and lacunar infarction. ACE-DD is also found in patients with migraines and is associated with increased attacks [8].

Ergotamine and triptans, used to treat migraines, have a vasoconstrictive effect. Dopamine receptors are affected by ergotamine. Cardiovascular diseases, such as coronary heart disease and cerebral vasospasm, can result from high doses. While multiple studies have linked triptans to stroke, no solid evidence has been found. Therefore, in prescribing this drug, it is necessary to know the right dose to prevent this unexpected effect. These drugs in appropriate doses and not misused, rarely cause a stroke [9].

Because there are several inconsistent reports of the association of migraine with stroke, we conducted an updated systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the association of migraine as a risk factor for ischemic stroke for both migraine with aura and migraine without aura in several cohort studies.

Methods

Searching and screening

We systematically searched PubMed using the PRISMA method and keywords according to MeSH terms to prepare this systematic review. We use keywords 1. “MIGRAINE”; AND 2. “STROKE”; AND 3. “RISK FACTOR” on search engines. SPIDER format was used to establish a search strategy (Sample: Migraineurs, Phenomenon of Interest: Migraine with aura or migraine without aura, Design: an observational study, Evaluation: ischemic stroke, Research type: cohort studies).

Preliminary research and idea validation

We do a preliminary search to identify relevant articles, ensure the validity of the proposed idea, avoid duplication of previously addressed questions, and ensure that we have enough articles for conducting its analysis.

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

We included published articles discussing migraine as a risk factor for ischemic stroke with a cohort study design and English articles, and listed the statistical value of the study. We excluded published articles that did not describe migraine as a risk factor for ischemic stroke with a study design other than a cohort study, not an English article, and did not include the statistical value of the study.

Study selection and screening

The title and abstract were screened based on inclusion and exclusion criteria by two authors (first screening). After screening the title and abstract, two authors review the selected full text (second screening). If two authors disagree, the third author is consulted, and a decision is made by consensus. Articles were included in the meta-analysis when data-pooling and outcome measurement was identical.

Data extraction and quality assessment

Three reviewers (IMOA, EHT, and IPEW) collected and extracted data from selected articles. We extracted study design, study site, population size, age, migraine type, gender, length of follow-up, and adjustment data. We assessed the quality of each selected study using the Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) instrument. The quality assessment carried out by three reviewers (IMOA, IPEW, and EHT) will then be confirmed fourth dan fifth reviewers (IASW and NPAPM).

Data items and collection

Three authors (IMOA, EHT, and IPEW) collected and extracted data from selected articles. The data were extracted for the following variables: study design, study site, population size, age, migraine type, gender, length of follow-up, adjustment data, and statistical data.

Statistical analysis

The statistical data were calculated using Comprehensive Meta-analysis V3 software.

Data checking

Due to the expected human error and bias, we do the data checking step, in which every included article is compared with its counterpart in an extraction sheet by evidence photos, to detect mistakes in data. If two authors disagree (IMOA and EHT), the third author (IPEW) is consulted, and a decision is made by consensus. If needed, fourth and fifth authors (IASW and NPAPM) were included.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval is not required.

Results

Literature search

There are 1043 articles in our search engine. We sorted the articles only observational studies, so 469 articles were then screened based on title and abstract. After screening the titles and abstracts, we got 34 cohort study articles. Finally, 12 articles matched our inclusion and exclusion criteria, and data were extracted for this systematic review. The flow of the article search system can be seen in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1

Flow diagram of the search system

Quality assessment

The quality assessment of each study was assessed using Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) instrument. The study with a total score range of 7–10 is high quality, 4–6 has a low risk of bias, and 1–3 has a high risk of bias. There were three studies with a score of 9/9, 4 studies with a score of 8/9, 3 studies with a score of 7/9, and 2 studies with a score of 6/9. Based on NOS, it is known that there are ten studies with high quality and two studies have a low risk of bias. The results of the quality assessment can be seen in Table 1.

Table 1 Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS)

Study characteristic

The cohort studies were conducted in Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, and Taiwan. The study subjects ranged from 6730 to 1,125,691 people, with a mean age ranging from 45.3 to 73.4 years. Lee and colleagues carried out the largest samples, and Tsai and colleagues carried out the smallest. Each study describes the relationship between migraine and ischemic stroke by statistical analysis using odds and hazard ratios, and variable adjustments have been made. Study characteristics and conclusions from each study can be seen in Table 2.

Table 2 Study characteristic

Main pooled results of meta-analysis

Several studies were combined for meta-analysis. There were nine studies to determine the association between migraine and ischemic stroke, seven studies for migraine with aura and stroke, and six for migraine without aura and ischemic stroke.

Migraine and ischemic stroke

Figure 2 shows the results of a random-effect models meta-analysis for migraine and stroke. Of the nine studies, five studies had insignificant results and four studies with significant results. When a meta-analysis was performed, the combined hazard ratio was significant (HR 1.205 95% CI 1.151–1.262 p = 0.000). Heterogeneity obtained p = 0.118, I² = 37.5.

Fig. 2

Random-effect models meta-analysis for migraine and ischemic stroke

Migraine with aura and ischemic stroke

Figure 3 shows the results of a random-effect models meta-analysis for migraine and stroke. Of the seven studies, there were two studies with insignificant results and five studies with significant results. The combined hazard ratio was significant (HR 1.442, 95% CI 1.241–1.675 p = 0.000). Heterogeneity obtained p = 0.14, I² = 45.5.

Fig. 3

Random-effect models meta-analysis for migraine with aura and ischemic stroke

Migraine without aura and ischemic stroke

Figure 4 shows the results of a random-effect models meta-analysis for migraine and stroke. Of the 6 studies, there were five studies with insignificant results and one study with significant results. The combined hazard ratio was significant (HR 1.126, 95% CI 1.048–1.211 p = 0.001. Heterogeneity obtained p = 0.45, I² = 0.

Fig. 4

Random-effect models meta-analysis for migraine without aura and ischemic stroke

Discussion

In our meta-analysis, both migraine aura and without aura were significant risk factors for ischemic stroke. Migraine, in general, increased the risk of ischemic stroke by 1.2-fold (HR 1.205, 95% CI 1.151–1.262 p = 0.000), migraine with aura increased the risk of ischemic stroke by 1.4-fold (HR 1.442, 95% CI 1.241–1.675 p = 0.000), and migraine without aura increased the risk of ischemic stroke by 1.1-fold (HR 1.126, 95% CI 1.048–1.211 p = 0.001). The meta-analysis results of migraine in general and migraine with aura were relatively similar to previous studies. Different results were seen in the meta-analysis of the migraine without aura group. Many studies have revealed that migraine without aura does not increase the risk of ischemic stroke, but our meta-analysis suggests that migraine without aura is a risk factor for ischemic stroke. Migraine without aura can be a risk factor for ischemic stroke, even though it has a lower HR value than migraine with aura. Many cohort studies had a non-significant value or HR < 1 in the forest plot of the meta-analysis (Fig. 4). However, the combined hazard ratio shows significant results, because the study by Lee and colleagues has a much greater total population than other studies.

The exact mechanism of stroke caused by migraine is still unclear, although, in some theories, several mechanisms have been described that are thought to be the cause of stroke. In the studies included in this systematic review, cortical spreading depression is the underlying mechanism of migraine, which is the underlying cause of stroke in migraine [22]. As mentioned in the introduction section, several important points of the cause of stroke in migraine are hemodynamic changes, endothelial dysfunction, vascular reactivity, and abortive migraine drugs themselves.

In migraine, there is no specific advice for preventing ischemic stroke. It is preferable to alter migraine risk factors. Antiplatelet medications, such as aspirin, are not advised. As previously stated, the frequency of migraine attacks is linked to the risk of ischemic stroke. As a result, it is preferable to prevent migraine attacks by changing migraine risk factors to prevent ischemic stroke in migraine sufferers [2].

Conclusions

In our systematic review and meta-analysis, migraines with aura and without aura are associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke. Preventing the migraine attack by modifying migraine risk factors is preferable to prevent ischemic stroke rather than antiplatelet agents.

Strengths and limitations

There are several strengths and limitations in our systematic review. First, our systematic review has many studies and a large sample population. Second, in this study, we carried out a quantitative analysis, namely, a meta-analysis, and obtained combined results between several studies, resulting in one statistical conclusion, so that the study value was higher. The limitation of our study is that some of the studies are older than the last 10 years. However, this is not a problem, because the number of studies published in the previous 10 years has seven, so five other studies over the last 10 years can be used as data reinforcement.