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Variations in migraine attacks with changes in weather conditions

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Abstract

The percentage of severe migraine attacks in 56 volunteer subjects from November 1969 – May 1970 in Aberdeen was significantly increased during days when there were more than two hours of sunshine (p <0.05) and also when this gave rise to dazzle when in combination with snow cover. Atmospheric cooling was reported as a causative or aggravating factor in seven subjects and in 1.2% of recorded attacks. A low atmospheric pressure recorded at mid-day tended to be associated with significantly less frequent attacks (p < 0.05). There was a trend towards increase in frequency of attacks when the atmospheric pressure was rising. Low relative humidity was associated with a significant increase in the percentage of severe attacks (p <0.05). Saturday was associated with significantly more attacks than other days of the week (p< 0.01). Possible preventative measures are discussed.

Zusammenfassung

Bei 56 freiwilligen Personen, die vom November 1969 bis Mai 1970 in Aberdeen über ihr Befinden befragt wurden, war der Prozentsatz schwerer Migräneanfälle an Tagen mit mehr als 2 Stunden Sonnenschein und Blenden durch Schneebedeckung signifikant (p <0.05) erhöht. Erhöhte Abkühlung war bei 7 Personen ein ursächlicher oder verschlimmernder Faktor und bei 1,2% der berichteten Anfälle. Niedriger Luftdruck zur Mittagszeit war mit signifikant weniger Anfällen verbunden (p< 0.05). Eine Tendenz vermehrter Anfallfrequenz war typisch, wenn der Luftdruck anstieg. Niedrige relative Feuchte war verbunden mit signifikant erhöhter Häufigkeit schwerer Anfälle (p < 0.05). An Samstagen waren signifikant mehr Anfälle als an jedem anderen Wochentag. Präventivmassnahmen werden besprochen.

Resume

Entre novembre 1969 et mai 1970, 56 volontaires d'Aberdeen ont noté leur état physique et plus spécialement les céphalées qu'ils enduraient. Le pourcentage des maux de tête a été, de façon significative (p < 0.05), accentué durant les journées où l'on mesurait plus de 2 heures de soleil ou qui prêtaient à de l'éblouissement, vu qu'il se combinait à une couverture de neige. Chez ces personnes, un refroidissement de l'atmosphère fut noté comme étant la cause d'une aggravation des migraines. Ce même fait a été désigné comme étant la cause directe dans 1,2% des cas mentionnés. Une basse pression atmosphérique relevée à midi est souvent associée à des attaques de migraines moins fréquentes, et ceci de façon significative (p <0.05). On a en outre remarqué une tendance à l'accroissement de la fréquence des attaques quand la pression atmosphérique était en hausse. Une humidité relative spécialement basse a été mise en rapport avec un accroissement significatif du pourcentage de fortes attaques de migraines (p <0.05). On a noté, le samedi, plus d'attaques qu'un autre jour de la semaine et cela de façon significative (p <0.01). On discute enfin les possibilités de mesures préventives.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Sheffield, Whiteley Wood Clinic Woofindin Road, S 10 3 TL, Sheffield, England

    J. D. Gomersall

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  1. J. D. Gomersall
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  2. Alice Stuart
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Gomersall, J.D., Stuart, A. Variations in migraine attacks with changes in weather conditions. Int J Biometeorol 17, 285–299 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01804622

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