Association Between Migraine and Diabetes in Pregnancy

Migraine ranks as the eighth most disabling condition and one of the most common causes of headache in Pakistan. In this study, we aimed to determine the association between migraine and diabetes in pregnant women. This cross-sectional study recruited 498 pregnant women, grouped into pregnant without diabetes (n = 300) and pregnant with diabetes (n = 198) according to the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study criteria. Seventy-five women with known migraine were also recruited as positive controls. After confirming that the study subjects had headache at least once a month, the researcher filled out a comprehensive form based on the International Classification of Headache Disorders version II. Migraine disability score was used to assess severity. Fasting blood glucose levels were measured by using the enzymatic method. Data were presented as mean ± SD and frequencies, where applicable. Chi-square test and Spearman correlation test were performed. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant. The headache prevalence during pregnancy was 69% in the women with diabetes and 64% in the women without diabetes. A positive unilateral distribution was observed in 51% of the cases and 36.3% of the controls (P < 0.01). However, 94.7% of the pregnant cohort reported not having experienced aura. Of the pregnant women with diabetes, 19% fell within the mild to moderate disability score as compared with the 10.3% of the pregnant women without diabetes (P < 0.01). High fasting blood glucose levels showed a significant association with headache scores (r = 0.144; P < 0.01). Headaches, particularly migraine without aura, are a common occurrence in pregnancy in our population. Migraine severity is positively associated with high blood glucose levels.