Abstract:

Objective To investigate the relationship between age at onset (AAO) and clinical features of migraine so as to provide references for prognosis estimation of migraine. Methods Four hundred and forty-seven consecutive patients with migraine were enrolled, among whom 62 were migraine with aura (MA group), and 385 were migraine without aura (MO group). The related data about age, gender, AAO, age of first diagnosis, course of disease, family history, intensity of migraine, frequency of migraine and duration of migraine of patients in two groups were recorded. Patients in both groups were subdivided into immaturity group (≤18 years old) and adult group(>18 years old) respectively. The relationship between AAO and family history, intensity of migraine, frequency of migraine and duration of migraine was statistically analysed. Results Female patients accounted for 81.3% and 66.1% in MA group and MO group respectively (P<0.05). There were significant differences in age of first diagnosis, course of disease and duration of migraine between MA group and MO group (P<0.05). In patients with MO, there were significant differences in age of first diagnosis, course of disease, family history, duration of migraine and frequency of migraine between immaturity group and adult group (P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that age of first diagnosis, course of disease, family history and frequency of migraine were independent risk factors. Conclusion Early AAO, obvious family history and severe headache may yield poor prognosis in patients with migraine. AAO can be used as a predictor for prognosis of migraine in Chinese population.

Key words: migraine with aura, migraine without aura, age at onset, migraine frequency