family history in migraine
Last reviewed 01/2023
A study by Russell et al. demonstrated that migraines are more common among first degree relatives of migraine sufferers:
- the relative risks of developing migraine for first degree relatives of a patient with common migraine are:
- 1.9 for common migraine
- 1.4 for classical migraine
- the relative risks of developing migraine for first degree relatives of a patient with classical migraine are:
- 4.0 for classical migraine
- 1.0 for common migraine
A meta-analysis has demonstrated a heritability of approximately 50% for migraine (2)
Migraine is a genetic disease, (3) although environmental factors are important in its aetiology
Reference:
- Russell, MB and Olesen, J.. Increased familial risk and evidence of genetic factor in migraine. BMJ 1995;311: 541-543.
- Nielsen CS et al. Twin studies of pain. Clin Genet. 2012;14:331-340.
- Russell MB. Is migraine a genetic illness? The various forms of migraine share a common genetic cause. Neurol Sci. 2008;14(1):S52-54.