Atrial septal defects as a risk factor for migraine: a case-control study

To determine the magnitude of the association between atrial septal defect (ASD) and migraine. We evaluated 101 subjects submitted to transeophageal echocardiography (TEE). They have been asked about headache. Migraine diagnosis was established according the criteria of the International Headache Society (IHS). The subjects were match in cases (ASD carrier) and controls (without ASD). We analyzed the occurrence of migraine, of aura and the frequency of crises in the last month by chi-square test. We matched 34 cases and controls: 82.4% female, the mean age, in years was 38.7(+/- 11.24) and 38.9 (+/- 11.17)). Migraine occurred in 79.4% of the cases and in 55.9% of the controls (OR= 4.3) Cl = 95% (1.04 - 8.8), (p= 0.038). Aura occurred in 65.1%(cases) and 40% (controls). it was observed more than three migraine crises in the last month in 76.7% of the cases and 60% of the controls (OR= 1.56 (p= 0.2) (95% Cl, 0.6 to 7.6). ASID is a risk factor to migraine with aura in the sample studied. ASD apparently increase the frequency of migraine crises.