Allergic Conjunctivitis and the Associated Risk of Migraine Among Children: A Nationwide Population-based Cohort Study

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To investigate the risk of migraine in children with allergic conjunctivitis (AC).

Methods: In this population-based cohort study, 309 138 children with AC and 309 138 non-AC controls were included between 2000 and 2007. By 2008 end, the incidences of migraine in both cohorts, and the AC-to-non-AC cohort hazard ratios (HRs) were measured.

Results: The incidence of migraine during the study period was 1.92-fold higher in the AC cohort than in the non-AC cohort. The risk was greater for boys with AC and children aged <6 years. The mean time-interval between physician-diagnosed AC to physician-diagnosed migraine was 3.67 years (SD = 2.19).The risk of migraine development in the AC cohort increased with follow-up time and was highest during 4–5 years after AC diagnosis. The children with AC more likely had migraine without than with aura.

Conclusions: Children with AC had a higher incidence and subsequent risk of migraine.

Keywords:

• Allergic conjunctivitis
• children
• cohort study
• migraine

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

I-Chung Wang and Jeng-Dau Tsai made equal contribution to this study. I-Chung Wang, Jeng-Dau Tsai, Chang-Ching Wei, and Te-Chun Shen conceptualized and designed the study, drafted the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. Cheng-Li Lin, Tsai-Chung Li conducted the initial analyses, reviewed and revised the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted. Chang-Ching Wei coordinated and supervised the data collection, critically reviewed the manuscript, and approved the final manuscript as submitted.

FUNDING

The study was supported in part by Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare Clinical Trial and Research Center of Excellence (MOHW105-TDU-B-212–133019), China Medical University Hospital, Academia Sinica Taiwan Biobank, Stroke Biosignature Project (BM104010092), NRPB Stroke Clinical Trial Consortium (MOST 103–2325-B-039-006), Tseng-Lien Lin Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan, Taiwan Brain Disease Foundation, Taipei, Taiwan, and Katsuzo and Kiyo Aoshima Memorial Funds, Japan.