Comparison of clinic and demographic characteristics in vestibular migraine and migraine only patients

Abstract

Background & Objective: The relationship between vertigo and migraine has been known for a long time. Many migraine patients are accompanied by vertigo. The term vestibular migraine (VM) is a clinical entity defined recently. Treatments for migraine only (MO) and VM patients differ partially. Therefore, it is essential to distinguish between these two clinical conditions. This study aims to reveal the clinical and demographic differences between MO and VM and determine the factors that will help diagnose and manage VM.

Method: A total of 80 patients, 40 diagnosed with MO according to ICHD-3 and 40 diagnosed with VM, who applied to the Neurology clinic of a tertiary hospital between January and July 2023, were included in this prospective study. The patients’ ages, genders, education levels, medical and family history, migraine duration, migraine onset age, migraine attack frequency, and medication use were recorded. All patients completed a battery of questionnaires, including the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref (WHOQOL-BREF), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABCS), and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).

Results: Patients with VM experienced significantly more sleep disturbances, depressive symptoms, movement disorders, imbalance, menstruation-related headaches, and aura compared to those with migraine MO. In contrast, MO patients reported more throbbing headaches and a better response to analgesics.

Conclusion: MO and VM patients have distinct clinical characteristics. Recognizing these basic differences has important clinical benefits, allowing for precise diagnosis and treatment of VM.