Hypertension and Migraine in the Northern Manhattan Study

Abstract

<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate the association between migraine and hypertension in the Northern Manhattan Study (NOMAS), a multiethnic community-based sample. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Design: </strong>Cross-sectional cohort study. </p><p><strong>Participants:</strong>1338 NOMAS participants (mean age 68.1±9.6 years, 37% male, 15% non-Hispanic White, 19% non-Hispanic Black, 67% Hispanic). </p><p><strong>Setting: </strong>Northern Manhattan community. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Intervention: </strong>Participants were assessed for migraine symptoms using a self-report questionnaire based on criteria from the International Classification of Headache Disorders. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg, the patient’s self-reported hypertension, or use of anti-hypertensive medications. Duration (≤9 years vs &gt;9 years) and control (BP&lt;140/90) of hypertension were examined. We estimated the association between hypertension and migraine (overall and with/without aura) using logistic regression, adjusting for sociodemographic and vascular risk factors. </p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The majority of participants (80%) had no migraine, 6% had migraine with aura, and 15% had migraine without aura. Hypertension was present in 76% of the study population (7% had controlled hypertension ≤9 years duration, 5% controlled hypertension &gt;9 years duration, 41% uncontrolled hypertension ≤9 years duration, 23% uncontrolled hypertension &gt;9 years duration). Hypertension was associated with migraine (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.21-2.54), both with and without aura. This association was particularly apparent for those with uncontrolled and long duration hypertension. </p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Hypertension, particularly uncontrolled and of long duration, is associated with migraine, both with and without aura, in a predominantly Hispanic community-based cohort. <em>Ethn Dis. </em>2016;26(3):323-330; doi:10.18865/ed.26.3.323 </p>