Migraine associated with altitude: results from a population-based study in Nepal.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

A 1988 pilot study in Peru suggested an association between migraine and chronic exposure to high altitude. This study provides epidemiological evidence corroborating this.

Methods

In a cross-sectional nationwide population-based study, a representative sample of Nepali-speaking adults were recruited through stratified multistage cluster sampling. They were visited at home by trained interviewers using a culturally adapted questionnaire. The altitude of dwelling of each participant was recorded.

Results

Of 2100 participants, over half [1100 (52.4%)] were resident above 1000 m and almost one quarter [470 (22.4%)] at ≥2000 m. Age- and gender-standardized migraine prevalence increased from 27.9% to 45.5% with altitude between 0 and 2499 m and there

SUBMITTER: Linde M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5518276 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature