ANKLE BRACHIAL INDEX (PALPATORY METHOD) IN FEMALE MIGRAINEURS

Abstract

Objectives: Migraine is a primary headache that affects females three times as compared to men. Vascular nature of migraine has been suggested. Migraineurs are reported to be at  higher risk of untoward vascular event. . Ankle brachial index (ABI) is the ratio of ankle systolic arterial pressure to brachial systolic pressure. Its palpatory method is a simple non invasive method,  recommended to screen asymptomatic subjects. The present study was aimed to determine and compare ankle brachial index in female migraineurs and healthy controls and  to determine if migraine alone affects peripheral blood vessels. Methods: Eighty four females aged 20 to 50 years were divided into three groups of 28 subjects each. Group A and B comprised of migraineurs with history of migraine for less than and more than ten years respectively. Group C, had healthy controls. Ankle brachial Index was calculated after recording systolic pressures from brachial and dorsalis pedis arteries by palpatory method. Results: Migraineurs with history of migraine for more than 10 years had the highest number of cases with borderline ABI. Kruskal Wallis ANOVA compared values of ABI in the three groups.  Statistically significant difference was seen (p= 0.046) among the three groups. Comparison of group B and C showed significant difference, (p=0.010). Conclusion: ABI is within normal range in the three groups. Statistically significant difference exists between healthy females and migraineurs with history of migraine for more than 10 years.

Key words: Migraine, borderline, ankle brachial index, duration

Pak J Physiol 2019;15(1):41-4