Ann IScher, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Road; Bethesda, MD 20814-4799ascher@usuhs.mil
Lenore J. Launer
Submitted May 10, 2005
We thank Dr. Ikeda et al for sharing the results from their
large MRI sample and for their interest in our study. In their study, the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors did not differ
between controls and migraineurs overall or between migraineurs with and
without aura. Their results are discrepant with our findings. We found
that the migraineurs, particularly those with aura, were more likely to
have CVD risk factors compared to non-migraineurs.
Results may be affected by demographic differences between
the GEM and Brain Check-Up (BC) study participants. The GEM sample was
from the general population and the BC sample was recruited from a
primarily employed sample who had sought medical care. Underlying
population differences in the rates of cardiovascular disease and baseline
cardiovascular risk profiles in Japan and the Netherlands may also be
important. An “eyeball” comparison of the CVD risk factor profiles between
the Japanese and Dutch control groups shows considerable differences in
baseline risk factors including obesity (BC study: 25% vs. GEM
12%), hypercholesterolemia (30% vs 16%), current smoking (23% vs. 34%),
and current use of oral contraceptives (4% vs. 23%). The average age of
the two control groups was roughly similar, although the BC controls had a
higher proportion of women (59% vs. 49%).
We look forward to comparing our results from those based on other
migraine cohorts, as this may lead to new hypotheses about the development
and prevention of migraine.
We thank Dr. Ikeda et al for sharing the results from their large MRI sample and for their interest in our study. In their study, the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors did not differ between controls and migraineurs overall or between migraineurs with and without aura. Their results are discrepant with our findings. We found that the migraineurs, particularly those with aura, were more likely to have CVD risk factors compared to non-migraineurs.
Results may be affected by demographic differences between the GEM and Brain Check-Up (BC) study participants. The GEM sample was from the general population and the BC sample was recruited from a primarily employed sample who had sought medical care. Underlying population differences in the rates of cardiovascular disease and baseline cardiovascular risk profiles in Japan and the Netherlands may also be important. An “eyeball” comparison of the CVD risk factor profiles between the Japanese and Dutch control groups shows considerable differences in baseline risk factors including obesity (BC study: 25% vs. GEM 12%), hypercholesterolemia (30% vs 16%), current smoking (23% vs. 34%), and current use of oral contraceptives (4% vs. 23%). The average age of the two control groups was roughly similar, although the BC controls had a higher proportion of women (59% vs. 49%).
We look forward to comparing our results from those based on other migraine cohorts, as this may lead to new hypotheses about the development and prevention of migraine.