Rosacea May Be a Cutaneous Manifestation of Migraine

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Alexander Egeberg, MD PhD National Allergy Research Centre, Departments of Dermato-Allergology and Cardiology Herlev and Gentofte University Hospital, University of Copenhagen Hellerup, Denmark

Dr. Alexander Egeberg

Alexander Egeberg, MD PhD
Gentofte Hospital
Department of Dermatology and Allergy
Hellerup Denmark

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?

Response: Patients with rosacea frequently report symptoms of migraine, and this link has been discussed for many years. However, very little research has actually been performed in this area, and the prevalence varies greatly between studies. We examined the prevalence of migraine in patients with rosacea, nationwide, as well as the risk of new-onset migraine in patients with manifest rosacea. We found a markedly increased prevalence of migraine among patients with rosacea. The risk of new-onset migraine was also higher among patients with rosacea, but only among women. Perhaps most notably was the observation that risk of new-onset migraine was highest among patients older than 50 years. This was surprising, since new-onset migraine in older individuals is often considered a “red flag”.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Response: While rosacea and migraine may be linked, rosacea may in some patients be a cutaneous manifestation of migraine. Indeed, we have in our clinic had good experiences using sumatriptans (anti-migraine agents) in patients with concurring migraine, resulting in not only improvements in their migraine, but also in symptoms of rosacea (e.g. erythema and flushing)

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Response: Future research should try to determine which rosacea subtypes are most frequently associated with migraine, and systematically assess the effects of anti-migraine agents on rosacea symptoms and severity.

MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Prevalence and risk of migraine in patients with rosacea: A population-based cohort study Original Research Article
Available online 3 November 2016
Alexander Egeberg, Messoud Ashina, David Gaist, Gunnar H. Gislason, Jacob P. Thyssen

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Last Updated on November 6, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD