The Frequency of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (Gerd) in Migraineurs and the Impact of Gerd Treatment on Migraine Attacks

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in migraine patients and investigate the impact of adherence to gastroesophageal reflux treatment on migraine attack frequency. Method: A total of 757 people aged 18-45 years who applied to the Dokuz Eylul University (DEU) Neurology-Headache Clinic and the DEU Family Health Centers and met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were pregnancy, cancer or alarming findings, and any mental disability that would prevent understanding of the questionnaire. The Migraine Diagnostic Questionnaire, including International Headache Society (IHS) criteria, was used to diagnose migraine, the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire (GERDQ) to diagnose GERD, and the Modified Morisky Scale to assess medication compliance. SPSS 22 package was used for statistical analysis. Chi-square, t-test and ANOVA were used for statistical evaluation of the data, and p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of the 757 people who participated in the study, 428 patients were diagnosed with migraine and followed up in the neurology outpatient clinic. Of the 329 patients who applied for family health centers, 122 were diagnosed with migraine and 108 with non-migraine headaches. 99 did not complain of headache. When the GERDQ scores of the patients participating in the study were evaluated, there were 183 people (33.3%) with a GERDQ score of 8 and above among the migraineurs, 19 people (17.6%) with non-migraine headaches and 8 people (8.1%) without headaches. The GERDQ reflux score of migraineurs was found to be higher than in the other groups and this level was statistically significant (p<0.001). When the migraine attack frequency of migraine patients treated for GERD was evaluated, no significant relationship was found between treatment adherence and migraine attack frequency. Conclusion: The incidence of GERD in patients with migraine was found to be higher than in patients without migraine, and the compliance of these patients with treatment was found to be lower. It may be useful to ask patients with migraine about GERD when they come to the outpatient clinic and to support their motivation for treatment.