Comparison of serum adiponectin level between early onset and late onset migraineurs and its comparison with controls

Background: Migraine is one of the most common neurological disorders in general population worldwide. There is no imaging or other tests for diagnosing migraine, so clinicians mainly rely on patients' own self-reported symptoms therefore we have undertaken this study. This research offers important insights into potential mechanisms behind migraine and hypothesizes adiponectin as a potential biomarker for migraine, which can become first laboratory investigation that can aid in diagnosis of migraine. To our knowledge; this is the first survey that aimed at evaluating the symptomatology of migraine and adiponectin levels in patients over 45 years of age. Aims and Objectives: 1) To compare serum Adiponectin levels in migraine patients and healthy controls. 2) To correlate serum Adiponectin levels in migraine patients with other clinical parameters including Migraine Impact and Allodynia. 3) To compare clinical characteristics of migraine attacks occurring in elderly (45 years and above) and in younger migraineurs (20 to 44 years). Material and Methods: A cross sectional observational study, Patients with Migraine diagnosed according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition and controls without headache constitute study population. Patient’s between ages 20 to 44 years were considered in Early - onset migraine group and those 45 years and above were considered in Late – onset migraine group. All these patients were subjected to detailed history, Clinical examination (BP, BMI etc.) & Sociodemographic profile was noted. Lipid profile was done. Migraine Disability Score (MIDAS) & Allodynia Symptom Checklist (ASC) 12 scales applied. ELISA was done for serum adiponectin level determination. Results and Conclusions: Serum adiponectin levels are raised in migraine, higher in late onset migraineurs compared to early onset patients; in chronic migraineurs compared to episodic migraineurs and in migraine without aura compared to migraine with aura patients. But precise pathophysiological role of ADP in migraine remains to be elucidated. There was increased prevalence of migraine in those with high BMI and those who fall in the category of overweight and obese. Also total serum cholesterol levels were raised in migraine patients. There was significant positive correlation between migraine related disability and allodynia symptoms with serum adiponectin levels.