Recent investigations have shown that the incidence of COVID-19 and its associated vaccination does not significantly influence the intensity of migraines, challenging the experiences of some individuals who reported aggravated symptoms following infection or immunization.
The findings are clear.
A study featured in the European Journal of Neurology indicates that COVID-19 and its vaccines exert negligible effects on the severity of migraines. This finding stems from research involving 550 adult migraine patients at a Spanish headache clinic. Out of these, 44.9% (247 people) had been infected with COVID-19 at some point, and 83.3% (458 people) had been vaccinated. Among the COVID-19 infected group, 24.7% (61 individuals) noticed an escalation in migraine symptoms, while 11.4% (52 individuals) observed increased migraine severity after vaccination.
For those who felt their migraines had intensified, individuals with COVID-19 were 2.5 times more inclined to be concerned about their condition worsening, and vaccinated individuals were 17.3 times more prone to this worry.
Perceptions Versus Actual Findings
An analysis of patients’ electronic diary data revealed no substantial variation in headache frequency in the month before and after infection or vaccination, even among those reporting a perceived increase in migraine severity.
The authors noted, “Headache is indeed a common and debilitating symptom of COVID-19, but it doesn’t necessarily correlate with higher migraine frequency. Our findings suggest that healthcare providers should reassure patients that COVID-19 and its vaccines are unlikely to significantly alter the course of migraines. It’s likely that the impact of the infection and vaccines is less significant than the natural variability in migraine occurrences. Sharing this information might help alleviate patients’ concerns.”
Reference: “Migraine worsening after COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccination: Are we facing a nocebo effect?” by Laura Melgarejo, Edoardo Caronna, Joana Rosell-Mirmi, Iker Elosua-Bayés, Alicia Alpuente, Marta Torres-Ferrus, Víctor J. Gallardo, and Patricia Pozo-Rosich, 04 October 2023, European Journal of Neurology.
DOI: 10.1111/ene.16058
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about COVID-19 Migraine Research
Does COVID-19 or its vaccination worsen migraine symptoms?
Recent research, as published in the European Journal of Neurology, indicates that COVID-19 and its vaccinations have a minimal impact on the severity of migraines. The study involved 550 adults at a Spanish headache clinic, with a significant portion having experienced COVID-19 or received the vaccine. The findings show that while some patients perceived an increase in migraine severity post-infection or vaccination, the overall data does not support a significant change in migraine frequency or intensity due to COVID-19 or its vaccines.
How many people were involved in the migraine and COVID-19 study?
The study included 550 adults who sought treatment for migraines at a headache clinic in Spain. Among these participants, 247 individuals (44.9%) reported having contracted COVID-19, and 458 individuals (83.3%) had received a COVID-19 vaccination.
What were the key findings of the study on migraines and COVID-19 vaccination?
The study found that 24.7% of patients who contracted COVID-19 experienced worsening migraines, while 11.4% reported increased migraine severity post-vaccination. However, an examination of patient e-diary data showed no significant difference in headache frequency before and after infection or vaccination. The research suggests that the perceived increase in migraine severity may not be directly linked to COVID-19 or its vaccinations.
What should clinicians tell patients about COVID-19, vaccines, and migraines?
Clinicians are advised to reassure patients that COVID-19 and its vaccines are unlikely to significantly alter the course of migraines. The impact of the infection and vaccines on migraines is probably less than the individual’s natural variability in migraine attacks. Sharing this information may help minimize patients’ concerns about the effects of COVID-19 and its vaccines on their migraine condition.
More about COVID-19 Migraine Research
- European Journal of Neurology Study
- COVID-19 and Migraine Research
- Impact of Vaccines on Migraines
- Patient Perceptions vs. Clinical Data in Migraines
- Migraine Frequency and COVID-19 Infection
5 comments
interesting study but what about long-term effects? they didn’t mention anything about that… _xD83E__xDD14_
My daughter’s migraines got worse after covid, maybe it’s just a coincidence? This article is quite reassuring though.
Wow, really surprised by this research. Always thought COVID would make migraines worse… Good to know!
This is important info, but how reliable is the data? We need more studies to be sure.
i’ve had migraines for years and the vaccine didnt change anything for me. this study makes sense.