The Relationship between Migraine Headache and Iron Deficiency Anemia in Patients Referred To Neurology Clinic of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences

Migraine is one of the common forms of headaches, but there is no recognized mechanism and etiology for these headaches, although iron deficiency anemia is the important related factor. This study was carried out to find the relationship between migraine headache and iron deficiency anemia.

In this case-control study, 200 female in the reproductive age (15-45 years old) referred to neurology clinic of Shahrekord University of Medical Science were selected. Patients in control group (N=100) didn’t have migraine headache and patients in case group (N=100) have migraine headache. Patients were selected by simple sampling and according to standardized questionnaire (IHS) by neurologis and clinical manifestations of iron deficiency anemia, CBC and Ferritin level by hematologist. Data were analyzed by SPSS software.

The finding showed that among 100 patient of case group, 15 patients were anemic (iron deficiency anemia), but in control group, only 6 patients had iron deficiency anemia and a statistically significant correlation was found between migraine headache and iron deficiency anemia (P <0.05)

According to findings, it is suggested to conduct a prospective study to examine the effects of treatment of iron deficiency anemia on migraine headache.