Does the parental history of headaches influence the severity of migraine in the offspring?

Abstract

The phenotypic severity of migraine has rarely been the subject of genetic epidemiological studies. In this study, we conducted a cross sectional survey of high school students using a validated questionnaire which covered the diagnostic features of migraine as specified by the International Classification of Headache Disorders, second edition. The phenotypic severity was assessed via Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6). We documented the family history of recurrent headaches in the parents and correlated it with a diagnosis of migraine in the offspring. The participants included 272 students with mean age of 16.45 yr. The diagnosis of migraine in the participants was ascertained according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, second edition criteria. When one of the parents suffered with recurrent headaches, the odds ratio for developing migraine in the subjects was only modestly increased (1.68). When both parents were affected, the odds ratio for migraine increased to 2.11. Logistic regression analysis with chi-square test of homogeneity of odds indicated a significant association with the students' risk of developing migraine and history of recurrent headaches in both parents (P < 0.02). Moreover, having two affected parents was associated with a lower age of onset (Chi-square, P < 0.04) and higher HIT-6 scores (t-test, P < 0.02) in the subjects. In conclusion, having two parents with recurrent headaches doubled the odds ratio for developing migraine in the offspring and was also associated with increased headache disability as measured by HIT-6 and a younger age of onset of migraines. We propose that assessing the clinical severity may represent a novel approach in studying genetic epidemiology of migraine.

Keywords

Definite migraine - probable migraine - HIT-6 - genetic influence