Difference in Mean Platelet Volume between Migraine Patients with and without Aura

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mean platelet volume (MPV) increases when platelets are activated, and it is known to increase in migraine patients. The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is a difference in MPV or platelet count between migraine patients with (MA) and without aura (MO).METHODS: Migraine patients were recruited from the out-patient department of a hospital between January 2012 and June 2017. Patients were divided into MA and MO groups. Platelet count and MPV were compared between groups, and the frequency of comorbidities such as ischemic stroke and cardiovascular disease, was investigated in both groups.RESULTS: Of the 123 patients, 46 were classified as MA, and 77 were classified as MO. The MPV of the MA group was significantly higher than that of the MO group (8.92±0.17 fL, 6.32±0.28 fL, respectively) (P=0.034). However, platelet count showed no significant difference between groups. Cardiovascular disease and ischemic stroke incidences were significantly higher in the MA group than in the MO group (ischemic stroke 15.2%, 7.8%, respectively, P=0.027; cardiovascular disease 10.9%, 6.5%, respectively, P=0.018).CONCLUSION: Mean platelet volume was significantly greater in the MA group than in the MO group. This may be related to the pathophysiological differences between the two conditions.