Serum Vitamin D, Calcium, and Magnesium Levels in Patients with Migraine Presenting to PEMH, Pakistan: A Case-Control Study Micronutrient Levels in Migraine Patients
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: Migraine is a common neurological disorder characterized by recurrent headaches of varying intensity and duration. Micronutrient deficiencies, particularly in vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium, have been implicated in migraine pathogenesis.
Objective: This study aimed to assess serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium in migraine patients compared to healthy controls.
Methods: A case-control study was conducted at Pak Emirates Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, involving 180 participants, divided equally into migraine cases and healthy controls. Serum vitamin D levels were measured using electrochemiluminescence, while calcium and magnesium levels were determined using photometry. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, with p-values <0.05 considered significant.
Results: Migraine patients had significantly lower serum levels of vitamin D (18.2 ± 5.6 ng/mL vs. 28.4 ± 6.2 ng/mL, p<0.001), calcium (8.7 ± 0.6 mg/dL vs. 9.2 ± 0.5 mg/dL, p=0.013), and magnesium (1.8 ± 0.2 mg/dL vs. 1.9 ± 0.3 mg/dL, p=0.025). Multivariate analysis showed significant associations between higher levels of these nutrients and reduced migraine risk.
Conclusion: Lower serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium are associated with an increased risk and severity of migraines, suggesting potential targets for preventive and therapeutic strategies.
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Kowalska M, Prendecki M, Kozubski W, Lianeri M, Dorszewska J. Molecular Factors In Migraine. Oncotarget. 2016;7(31):50708-18.
Pleș H, Florian IA, Timis TL, Covache-Busuioc RA, Glavan LA, Dumitrascu DI, et al. Migraine: Advances In The Pathogenesis And Treatment. Neurology International. 2023;15(3):1052-65.
Rosignoli C, Ornello R, Onofri A. Applying A Biopsychosocial Model To Migraine: Rationale And Clinical Implications. J Headache Pain. 2022;23(100):1-12.
Nowaczewska M, Wiciński M, Osiński S, Kaźmierczak H. The Role Of Vitamin D In Primary Headache-From Potential Mechanism To Treatment. Nutrients. 2020;12(1):243.
Dell’Isola GB, Tulli E, Sica R, Vinti V, Mencaroni E, Di Cara G, et al. The Vitamin D Role In Preventing Primary Headache In Adult And Pediatric Population. J Clin Med. 2021;10(24):5983.
Di Molfetta IV, Bordoni L, Gabbianelli R, Sagratini G, Alessandroni L. Vitamin D And Its Role On The Fatigue Mitigation: A Narrative Review. Nutrients. 2024;16(2):221.
Yu E, Sharma S. Physiology, Calcium. [Updated 2023 Aug 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482128/
Bron C, Sutherland HG, Griffiths LR. Exploring The Hereditary Nature Of Migraine. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2021;17:1183-94.
Souza AC, Vasconcelos AR, Dias DD, Komoni G, Name JJ. The Integral Role Of Magnesium In Muscle Integrity And Aging: A Comprehensive Review. Nutrients. 2023;15(24):5127.
Grech O, Mollan SP, Wakerley BR, Fulton D, Lavery GG, Sinclair AJ. The Role Of Metabolism In Migraine Pathophysiology And Susceptibility. Life (Basel). 2021;11(5):415.
Maier JA, Pickering G, Giacomoni E, Cazzaniga A, Pellegrino P. Headaches And Magnesium: Mechanisms, Bioavailability, Therapeutic Efficacy And Potential Advantage Of Magnesium Pidolate. Nutrients. 2020;12(9):2660.
O’Hare L, Asher JM, Hibbard PB. Migraine Visual Aura And Cortical Spreading Depression—Linking Mathematical Models To Empirical Evidence. Vision. 2021;5(2):30.
Buettner C, Nir RR, Bertisch SM, Bernstein C, Schain A, Mittleman MA, et al. Simvastatin And Vitamin D For Migraine Prevention: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Ann Neurol. 2015;78(6):970-81.
Domitrz I, Cegielska J. Magnesium As An Important Factor In The Pathogenesis And Treatment Of Migraine-From Theory To Practice. Nutrients. 2022;14(5):1089.
Martami F, Togha M, Qorbani M, Shahamati D, Salami Z, Shab-Bidar S. Association Of Dietary Patterns With Migraine: A Matched Case-Control Study. Curr J Neurol. 2023;22(2):87-95.
Stewart WF, Roy J, Lipton RB. Migraine Prevalence, Socioeconomic Status, And Social Causation. Neurology. 2013;81(11):948-55.
Dresler T, Caratozzolo S, Guldolf K, et al. Understanding The Nature Of Psychiatric Comorbidity In Migraine: A Systematic Review Focused On Interactions And Treatment Implications. J Headache Pain. 2019;20(1):51.
Togha M, Razeghi Jahromi S, Ghorbani Z, Martami F, Seifishahpar M. Serum Vitamin D Status In A Group Of Migraine Patients Compared With Healthy Controls: A Case-Control Study. Headache. 2018;58(10):1530-40.
Ghorbani Z, Rafiee P, Fotouhi A, et al. The Effects Of Vitamin D Supplementation On Interictal Serum Levels Of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) In Episodic Migraine Patients: Post Hoc Analysis Of A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Headache Pain. 2020;21(1):22.
Kachhadia MP, Khalil ZM, Shah S, Fawad M, Sajjad H, Yadav KP, et al. Role Of Yoga As Adjunctive Therapy For Migraines: A Narrative Review Of The Literature. Cureus. 2023;15(11).