Patients with psoriasis are at increased risk for migraines, according to a research letter published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

Researchers from the New York University School of Medicine examined data obtained from the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to identify the association between migraines and psoriasis in the general US population.

Of the 3131 individuals who responded to questions regarding psoriasis and migraines, 3.2% had psoriasis and 29.2% reported a history of migraines within the last 3 months. Although researchers observed no significant association in univariate analysis, they found that psoriasis was significantly associated with a history of migraines (odds ratio 3.97; 95% CI, 1.76-8.95; P =.003) using multivariate analysis. In addition, they discovered that male sex was a protective factor for migraines (odds ratio 0.4; 95% CI, 0.29-0.55; P <.001).

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The study investigators noted that the cross-sectional survey design and use of self-reported questionnaires represent limitations of the study.

“This cross-sectional US study demonstrates that individuals with psoriasis are at an approximately four-fold increased risk of migraines,” the researchers concluded. “While further study is needed to better understand this relationship, individuals with psoriasis should be monitored and appropriately treated for migraines.”

 

Read more here.

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