Age- and sex-related differences in the presentation of paediatric migraine: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Introduction Although migraine is a common headache complaint in children and adolescents there remains a significant gap in understanding the unique aspects of the disease in these age groups and their evolution with development. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to identify migraine features that are influenced by age and sex. Methods The headache characteristics of 359 paediatric patients with a clinical diagnosis of migraine from a tertiary paediatric headache clinic were assessed. Patients retrospectively reported headache characteristics during a structured intake interview and clinical exam. Headache characteristics, description and associated symptoms were compared between children (age ≤ 12 years) and adolescents (age > 12 years), and between male and female migraineurs. Results Several migraine features differed significantly with age and/or sex, including: (i) a marked change from a 1:1 sex ratio in children to a 2:1 predominance of girls in adolescents; (ii) a higher frequency of headache attacks per month in adolescents and female migraineurs; (iii) a higher proportion of adolescents endorsed a 'throbbing' pain quality; (iv) a higher proportion of children reporting nausea and vomiting; and (v) a higher proportion of adolescents, particularly female migraineurs, had a diagnosis of a co-morbid anxiety. Conclusion The presentation of migraine, both in terms of its headache characteristics and associated symptoms, appear to vary as a function of age and sex. Given that migraine symptoms have a neural basis, it is not surprising that during the key period of neurodevelopment from childhood to adolescence this may impact their presentation.

Sensory processing patterns affect headache severity among adolescents with migraine

“…Headache is a common complaint among children [1], and its prevalence rises dramaticaly during adolescence [2][3][4]. Migraine headaches may reduce quality of life [5] and cause disability in everyday activities [6].…”

Sensory Processing Patterns affect Headache Severity among Adolescents with Migraine

“…Headache is a common complaint among children [1], and its prevalence rises dramaticaly during adolescence [2][3][4]. Migraine headaches may reduce quality of life [5] and cause disability in everyday activities [6].…”

Sex-Specific Pharmacotherapy for Migraine: A Narrative Review

“…boys and girls, but beginning at puberty, young women suffer twice as commonly from migraine as young men (Finocchi and Strada, 2014;Wilcox et al, 2018). In women, the peak prevalence of migraine occurs around age 30-40 years, after which it declines (Finocchi and Strada, 2014).…”

“…In women, the peak prevalence of migraine occurs around age 30-40 years, after which it declines (Finocchi and Strada, 2014). Women also suffer more attacks per month than young men of the same age, and about twice as many will progress to a chronic form of the headache (>15 headaches per month) (Wilcox et al, 2018). Women have longer, more intense headaches and a greater overall sensory hypersensitivity, particularly facial cutaneous allodynia (Finocchi and Strada, 2014;Wilcox et al, 2018).…”