studentnummer: 2809519
aantal woorden: 477
Examining the cross-sectional correlation:
hormonal migraine patterns (ages 12-40)
and stroke incidence (ages 50-80) in women
Migraine is a common and chronic condition. Before puberty, migraines are equally common in boys
and girls (1). However, according to Pakalnis et al. (2016) migraine occurs three times more
frequently in adult women than in adult men. Also, in the adolescent population, girls are more
prone to experiencing migraines than boys. Migraine headaches commonly initiate around the
period of menarche in adolescent girls. These fluctuations in hormones associated with puberty and
the menstrual cycle can certainly influence migraines in young women (2). Nevertheless, according to
Pavlovic et al. (2020) ‘Clinical practice has long held the notion that migraine improves in
menopause.’ This would have been substantiated by epidemiological studies indicating that the
prevalence of migraines reaches its peak in the late 30s and decreases thereafter (3).
While these hormone fluctuations play a significant role with the provoke of migraine, the potential
long-term effects, especially in relation to cardiovascular health are intriguing, also for societal
interest such as disease prevention and public health. Therefore it deserves more research.
Some studies suggest an association between migraine and strokes. According to Zhang et al. there is
an association especially between migraine with aura and ischaemic stroke (4). In a meta-analysis,
Schürks et al. determined that migraine is associated with a twofold increased risk of ischemic stroke,
with this link being particularly noticeable in individuals who experience migraine with aura (visual
disturbances). Their findings further highlight an elevated risk, especially among women, which is
notably increased for individuals under the age of 45, smokers, and females using oral contraceptives
who also have a history of migraines (5). Despite these findings, there remains room for further
examination in identifying a relationship between migraine, particularly those with hormonal
influence.
In the following study the focus is placed on the hormonal influence on the strokes. Therefore, the
research question of this study is “What is the association between hormonal migraine experienced
between the ages of 12 and 40 and the occurrence of strokes aged 50 to 80 in women?”
This study aims to gain more insight in potential connections between hormonal migraine patterns
and the occurrence of strokes in women later in life. 300 women at the age of 80 years old will be
asked, using questionnaires, whether they have any experiences with hormonal migraine between
the age of 12 and 40. Additionally, I am investigating whether there has been any incidence of stroke
between the ages of 50 and 80. Our control group consist women who indicate they had no history
with hormonal migraine. By collecting and analysing this data, there is hope for contributing to the
expansion of knowledge in this field. And with that to possibly draw further attention to the
relationship between hormonal migraines and the risk of strokes in later life stages.
aantal woorden: 477
Examining the cross-sectional correlation:
hormonal migraine patterns (ages 12-40)
and stroke incidence (ages 50-80) in women
Migraine is a common and chronic condition. Before puberty, migraines are equally common in boys
and girls (1). However, according to Pakalnis et al. (2016) migraine occurs three times more
frequently in adult women than in adult men. Also, in the adolescent population, girls are more
prone to experiencing migraines than boys. Migraine headaches commonly initiate around the
period of menarche in adolescent girls. These fluctuations in hormones associated with puberty and
the menstrual cycle can certainly influence migraines in young women (2). Nevertheless, according to
Pavlovic et al. (2020) ‘Clinical practice has long held the notion that migraine improves in
menopause.’ This would have been substantiated by epidemiological studies indicating that the
prevalence of migraines reaches its peak in the late 30s and decreases thereafter (3).
While these hormone fluctuations play a significant role with the provoke of migraine, the potential
long-term effects, especially in relation to cardiovascular health are intriguing, also for societal
interest such as disease prevention and public health. Therefore it deserves more research.
Some studies suggest an association between migraine and strokes. According to Zhang et al. there is
an association especially between migraine with aura and ischaemic stroke (4). In a meta-analysis,
Schürks et al. determined that migraine is associated with a twofold increased risk of ischemic stroke,
with this link being particularly noticeable in individuals who experience migraine with aura (visual
disturbances). Their findings further highlight an elevated risk, especially among women, which is
notably increased for individuals under the age of 45, smokers, and females using oral contraceptives
who also have a history of migraines (5). Despite these findings, there remains room for further
examination in identifying a relationship between migraine, particularly those with hormonal
influence.
In the following study the focus is placed on the hormonal influence on the strokes. Therefore, the
research question of this study is “What is the association between hormonal migraine experienced
between the ages of 12 and 40 and the occurrence of strokes aged 50 to 80 in women?”
This study aims to gain more insight in potential connections between hormonal migraine patterns
and the occurrence of strokes in women later in life. 300 women at the age of 80 years old will be
asked, using questionnaires, whether they have any experiences with hormonal migraine between
the age of 12 and 40. Additionally, I am investigating whether there has been any incidence of stroke
between the ages of 50 and 80. Our control group consist women who indicate they had no history
with hormonal migraine. By collecting and analysing this data, there is hope for contributing to the
expansion of knowledge in this field. And with that to possibly draw further attention to the
relationship between hormonal migraines and the risk of strokes in later life stages.
