Migraine is not just a headache but a complex disease often associated with other symptoms and conditions. A recent Finnish study based on Terveystalo patient data (Korolainen et al. 2019) reveals that the morbidity of migraine patients is significantly higher than that of controls – and that migraine forms extensive disease networks.
Methods and Data
The study used Terveystalo’s electronic patient data from 2012–2017. It included 17,623 migraine patients and an equally sized control group matched by age and gender.
Disease networks were formed using an automated algorithm that grouped diagnoses based on their close connections.
Results
Diagnoses of Migraine Patients
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Migraine patients had, on average, 1.7 times more diagnoses than controls.
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Median number: 12 diagnoses for migraine patients vs. 6 for controls.
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Only 1% of migraine patients had one diagnosis, while the corresponding figure for controls was 13%.
Broader Disease Networks
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Migraine patients had 9 disease groups, controls had 6.
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The largest group included fatigue, respiratory and digestive symptoms, infections, and psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression.
Typical Comorbidities
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Mood disorders and anxiety disorders
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Nonorganic sleep disorders
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Respiratory infections and asthma
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Gastrointestinal and intestinal symptoms
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Musculoskeletal diseases
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Skin diseases and infections
Conclusions
Migraine patients have broader and more diverse morbidity than controls.
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This cannot be explained by individual comorbidities but by the comprehensive impact of migraine on the body.
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Symptom complexes are often manifestations of migraine, not separate diseases.
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For example, intestinal sensitivity and sleep disorders are very common in migraine patients.
Migraine is therefore a broad entity, and its treatment should consider all associated symptoms and diseases – not just headaches.
Summary
Migraine is associated with diverse morbidity, affecting mood, sleep, the respiratory system, and digestion. This highlights the need to understand migraine as a whole and to provide comprehensive treatment methods.
Markku Nissilä, specialist in neurology
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a disease network?
A disease network describes the connections between different diseases and symptoms. In migraine patients, these networks are broader and more complex than in controls.
2. Which diseases are most commonly associated with migraine?
Depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, digestive symptoms, respiratory infections, and musculoskeletal diseases.
3. Why does migraine affect so broadly?
Migraine is linked to complex interactions of the nervous system, blood vessels, and immune system, which can be reflected in many different organ systems.
4. How should migraine treatment be organized?
Treatment requires a holistic approach that also considers comorbidities – not just headaches.