Gender differences in older adults with chronic migraine in Turkey

Abstract

Chronic migraine is an infrequent type of migraine and shows age-related changes in some phenotypic characteristics, such as severity of attacks, especially in women aged older than 50 years. Furthermore, positive family history of headaches and history of motion sickness increase the likelihood of developing chronic migraine in older women, indicating involvement of some gender-related, but as-yet unknown, genetic factors.

Gender influences headache characteristics with increasing age in migraine patients

“…Hormonal factors, onset of menstruation, the use of oral contraceptive drugs and pregnancy have a crucial impact on migraine attacks. However, the persistence of gender difference in the prevalence after menopause suggests that other factors are also involved (45).…”

Association Between Dry Eye Disease and Migraine Headaches in a Large Population-Based Study

“…21 Migraine headaches are significantly more common in women than men, particularly younger women, although the prevalence of migraine headaches decreases with age across both sexes. [22][23][24][25] We accounted for antihistamine, diuretic, and tricyclic antidepressant use in our secondary analyses because each of these medication classes is associated with the development or worsening of DED and, thus, could have interfered with the interpretation of our results. 26,27 In addition, tricyclic antidepressants are indicated for the prophylaxis of migraine headaches, which may have affected our results as well.…”

Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Headache Disorders in Older Adults

“…The majority of older people with migraine experience a significant improvement in headache symptoms with age, with less intensity and less frequent attacks . A positive family history of a primary headache disorder and a history of motion sickness during childhood have been associated with greater risk of chronic migraine in older women …”

“…14 A positive family history of a primary headache disorder and a history of motion sickness during childhood have been associated with greater risk of chronic migraine in older women. 15 Tension-Type Headache TTH is the most common headache worldwide, as well as in elderly adults. 16 It has been famously called "the featureless headache" because it is most notable for what people do not experience-the typical migraine features and associated symptoms such as photo-and phonophobia, nausea, and autonomic symptoms.…”