May Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio Serve a Role in the Prediction of Clinical Features of Migraine

Abstract

Background: We aimed to investigate the possible association between the value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio ( NLR) and some specific features of migraine. Methods: We have included initially all the patients with migraine who applied to our neurology clinic in Yozgat City Hospital during December 2019 and agreed to participate in this study. The demographic and clinical characteristics including migraine subtype (episodic/chronic), headache frequency per month, headache characteristics of all patients were interrogated. Besides, the presence of fibromyalgia (FM) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) was also noted. The severity of migraine was assessed using the headache impact test (HIT-6) and the severity of chronic fatigue was assessed using the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy (FACIT) fatigue scale. A hemogram was performed upon admission to the clinic. The patients with migraine attacks during the clinic visits were excluded from the study. Results: Ultimately, 52 migraineurs were included in this study. The mean age was 37.34 ± 11.80 and the female/male (F/M) ratio was 49/3. Thirty-six patients (69%) were diagnosed with episodic migraine (EM), and 16 of them (31%) were diagnosed with chronic migraine (CM). The results of the comparative analyses between EM and CM groups showed that the NLR did not differ between groups. To evaluate the possible association of the NLR with other clinical parameters, additional comparative analyses evaluating the presence of FM, CFS, cognitive symptoms and tinnitus were also conducted, which showed no significant differences. The results of the correlation analyses to evaluate the possible associations between the NLR value and other clinical parameters were also unremarkable. Conclusions: We suggest that the NLR cannot be a specific marker to be used in the differential diagnosis or prediction of any features of migraines during the interictal period. However, in light of the previous reports, the utility of this value in the differentiating of migraine attacks from other causes of headache attacks can be investigated in future related studies. J Neurol Res. 2020;10(2):38-43 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jnr574