The potential role of serum vitamin D level in migraine headache: a case–control study

PURPOSE: Much concern was directed toward exploring the relationship between vitamin D and migraine. There is strong evidence that vitamin D supplementation can decrease frequency, severity, and duration of migraine headache attacks. The aim of this work was to investigate the difference in serum levels of 25 (OH)-vitamin D between patients with migraine and healthy controls, to determine the differences in headache characteristics according to vitamin D status, and to correlate serum 25 (OH)-vitamin D level with duration, frequency, and severity of migraine headache attacks. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a case–control study conducted on 40 patients diagnosed with migraine and 40 healthy controls. History was taken from patients with migraine regarding headache characteristics. Migraine severity scale (MIGSEV) and Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) were used for migraine assessment. Serum 25(OH)-vitamin D was measured for all patients and controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Patients with migraine had significantly lower 25(OH)-vitamin D serum level in comparison to controls (P-value=0.019). The incidence of aura, phonophobia/photophobia, autonomic manifestations, allodynia, and resistance to medications were significantly higher in migraineurs with vitamin D deficiency than those with normal vitamin D. There was a statistically significant negative correlation between 25(OH)-vitamin D serum level and attack duration in hours (P-value˂0.001), frequency of the attacks/month (P-value˂0.001), MIGSEV scale (P-value=0.001), and HIT-6 scale (P-value=0.001). CONCLUSION: Patients with migraine had significant vitamin D deficiency compared to healthy controls. Such deficiency significantly affects headache characteristics, duration, frequency, and severity of headache attacks.