Relationship Between Migraines and Readmission Rates for Cerebrovascular Events

Migraines with an aura or status migrainosus are associated with transient ischemic attacks and subarachnoid hemorrhages, respectively, according to a publication in Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain.

This retrospective study analyzed the Nationwide Readmissions Database for initial migraine admissions (N=12,448) and the readmissions for acute ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and intracerebral hemorrhage.

Patients with migraines with and without auras had similar risks of being readmitted with acute ischemic stroke. Migraines with auras were significantly associated with readmission for transient ischemic attacks (P<.01), and status migrainosus were significantly associated with a readmission for subarachnoid hemorrhage (Charlson comorbidity index adjusted P=.04). Further evaluation is needed to examine whether migraines with aura have a causational relationship with transient ischemic attacks or whether the transient ischemic attack is being misdiagnosed on the initial visit. It is also of interest that subarachnoid hemorrhages are often misdiagnosed as migraines, another aspect that needs to be evaluated further. 

This study highlights the clinical need for proper evaluation for diagnosis of migraines, transient ischemic attacks, and subarachnoid hemorrhages to avoid delays in getting the proper treatment.

Reference

Velickovic Ostojic L, Liang JW, Sheikh HU, Dhamoon MS. Impact of aura and status migrainosus on readmissions for vascular events after migraine admission [published online June 22, 2018]. Headache. doi: 10.1111/head.13347