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Migraine Chronobiology
Author(s) -
Fox Anthony W.,
Davis Randy L.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
headache: the journal of head and face pain
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.14
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1526-4610
pISSN - 0017-8748
DOI - 10.1046/j.1526-4610.1998.3806436.x
Subject(s) - migraine , chronobiology , medicine , circadian rhythm , demographics , epidemiology , disease , population , pediatrics , psychiatry , demography , environmental health , sociology
This study was undertaken to determine whether migraine attacks exhibit circadian, menstrual, or seasonal variations in frequency and, thus, to characterize more precisely this relapsing, remittent pleomorphic disease. An analysis of 3582 well‐documented migraine attacks in 1698 adults was undertaken. The demographics of the study population accurately represented the known epidemiology of the disease. Migraine attacks started more frequently between 4 am and 9 am and within the first few days after onset of menses; this migraine periodicity is strongest amongst women not using oral contraceptives. Seasonal periodicity, if any, is clearly weaker than circadian or menstrual. These chronobiological features may assist in the differential diagnosis of migraine from premenstrual headache and fibromyalgia.