Association Between Polymorphisms in the β2-adrenoceptor Gene and Migraine in Women

(Headache 2009;49:235-244) To investigate the role of three common polymorphisms in the beta 2-adrenoceptor gene in migraine. Migraine has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and asthma in which beta 2-adrenoceptors play an important role; beta-adrenoceptor antagonists are used in migraine prevention. However, the role of variants in the beta 2-adrenoceptor gene in migraine is unclear. Association study among 23,753 white women, participating in the Women's Health Study, for whom we had information on migraine at baseline and genotype status of the polymorphisms rs1042713 (Gly16Arg), rs1042714 (Gln27Glu), rs1800888 (Thr164Ile). Migraine was self-reported and we distinguished between any history of migraine, active migraine with and without aura, and prior migraine (history of migraine but not active migraine) in our analyses. At baseline 4339 women reported any history of migraine. Of these, 3041 had active migraine (1221 migraine with aura, 1820 migraine without aura) and 1298 prior migraine. No migraine was reported by 19,414 women. Genotype- and haplotype-based analyses did not show an association of any of the gene variants tested with any history of migraine. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals) for any history of migraine in the additive model were 1.0 (0.96-1.05) for rs1042713, 1.0 (0.95-1.05) for rs1042714, and 0.84 (0.68-1.05) for rs1800888. In the haplotype analysis the ORs ranged from 0.83 (0.67-1.03) to 1.01 (0.94-1.07) with Gly16-Glu27-Thr164 as the reference. We also did not find associations in the genotype- and haplotype-based analyses within migraine-specific subgroups. Our results do not support a role of 3 investigated polymorphisms in the beta 2-adrenoceptor gene in migraine pathophysiology.