Evaluation of Red Cell Distribution Width Alterations with Severity of Migraine

Migraine is an inflammatory condition with high prevalence. Approximately 18% of women and 6% of men suffer from Migraine. It is classified into two groups based on aura manifestations. Aura is characterized by any combination of visual, hemisensory, or language abnormalities. Although not completely elucidated, one possible explanation for its cause may be related to the reduction of blood flow of the brain’s arteries or increased hemoglobin level. In this study, we aim to find out the relationship between migraine and red cell distribution width (RDW). 100 patients with migraine who were referred to specialized clinics Al-Zahra hospital between 2015-2016 and age and sex-matched 100 control subjects enrolled in this study. The disease diagnosis was confirmed by a neurologist. Fasting venous blood samples were taken from subjects for performing CBC, ferritin and, iron, and TIBC tests. HIT6 questionnaire was considered to assess the severity of migraines. There were 100 patients with a median age of 36 years (range 18-50). 22% were male and 78% were female. Data analysis didn’t show any relationship between migraine severity and RDW. Also, RDW didn’t have any relationship with the type of migraine (with aura or without aura).  This study could not reveal any significant association between RDW and migraine. Observing high RDW in both case and control groups brings us to the hypothesis high prevalence of iron deficiency in our country. According to the results, low ferritin levels had a relationship with increased severity of migraine.