G F Carvalho1, C S Almeida2, L L Florencio2, C F Pinheiro2, F Dach3, M E Bigal4, D Bevilaqua-Grossi2. 1. Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Locomotor Apparatus Rehabilitation, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: gabriela.fisioterapia@gmail.com. 2. Department of Biomechanics, Medicine and Locomotor Apparatus Rehabilitation, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. 3. Department of Neurosciences and Behavioural Sciences, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. 4. Research and Development Department, Teva Pharmaceuticals, Frazer, PA, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of falls and fear of falling in patients with migraine compared with controls. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Tertiary headache clinic. PARTICIPANTS: This study consisted of 105 controls and 105 consecutive patients diagnosed with migraine with aura (MA, n=35), migraine without aura (MO, n=35) and chronic migraine (CM, n=35). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were interviewed using a questionnaire containing questions about the history of falls and impairment in balance, and completed the International Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I). Groups were contrasted using Student's t-test and analysis of variance, and prevalence ratios were estimated. RESULTS: Falls and self-reported impairment in balance are more prevalent in patients with migraine (54% and 69%, respectively) than in controls (2% and 2%, respectively). In particular, patients with CM and MA reported a greater mean number of falls during the previous year {CM 1.4 [standard deviation (SD) 2.2]; MA 2.2 (SD 2.3)} compared with patients with MO [0.5 (SD 1.0); P <0.04] and controls [0.05 (SD 0.2); P <0.002]. The prevalence ratio of falls was greater in patients with MA (7.2; P <0.002) and CM (4.5; P <0.002) compared with controls. Patients with migraine experienced a high level of concern about falls during their daily activities compared with controls (29.8 vs 20.1 points in the FES-I questionnaire; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The balance impairment of patients with migraine may have a functional impact. Migraine is associated with risk of falling, and patients exhibit a higher prevalence of impairment in balance, falls and fear of falling.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of falls and fear of falling in patients with migraine compared with controls. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. SETTING: Tertiary headache clinic. PARTICIPANTS: This study consisted of 105 controls and 105 consecutive patients diagnosed with migraine with aura (MA, n=35), migraine without aura (MO, n=35) and chronic migraine (CM, n=35). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients were interviewed using a questionnaire containing questions about the history of falls and impairment in balance, and completed the International Falls Efficacy Scale (FES-I). Groups were contrasted using Student's t-test and analysis of variance, and prevalence ratios were estimated. RESULTS: Falls and self-reported impairment in balance are more prevalent in patients with migraine (54% and 69%, respectively) than in controls (2% and 2%, respectively). In particular, patients with CM and MA reported a greater mean number of falls during the previous year {CM 1.4 [standard deviation (SD) 2.2]; MA 2.2 (SD 2.3)} compared with patients with MO [0.5 (SD 1.0); P <0.04] and controls [0.05 (SD 0.2); P <0.002]. The prevalence ratio of falls was greater in patients with MA (7.2; P <0.002) and CM (4.5; P <0.002) compared with controls. Patients with migraine experienced a high level of concern about falls during their daily activities compared with controls (29.8 vs 20.1 points in the FES-I questionnaire; P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The balance impairment of patients with migraine may have a functional impact. Migraine is associated with risk of falling, and patients exhibit a higher prevalence of impairment in balance, falls and fear of falling.