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Published in: Neurological Sciences 3/2021

01-03-2021 | Migraine | Review Article

Retinal nerve fiber layer changes in migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: XiaoGuang Lin, ZhongQuan Yi, XueLing Zhang, QinQin Liu, Hui Zhang, RuYuan Cai, ChaoChun Chen, HongJie Zhang, PanWen Zhao, PingLei Pan

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 3/2021

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Abstract

Background

Migraine is one of the most common disabling diseases in the world. Its recurrent attacks may lead to abnormalities in the structure of the brain and retina. An increasing number of studies have investigated retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness alterations in migraine by the optical coherence tomography (OCT); however, no consensus has yet reached.

Method

We searched Pubmed, Embase, and Web of Science databases to identify studies that investigated RNFL thickness in migraine by OCT measurement and performed a meta-analysis of eligible studies.

Results

Twenty-six studies were included in the meta-analysis, comprising 1530 migraine patients and 1105 healthy controls. The mean RNFL thickness was thinner in the migraine group compared to the control group (SMD =− 0.53). In the subgroup analyses, RNFL thickness were decreased most significantly in the superior (SMD = − 0.71) and inferior (SMD = − 0.63) quadrants among all quadrants. Migraine with aura (SMD = − 0.91) showed a greater effect size of RNFL thickness reduction than migraine without aura (SMD =− 0.47). Spectral-domain OCT (SMD = − 0.55) seems more sensitive to detect RNFL thickness reduction than time-domain OCT (SMD = − 0.44). In addition, age, sex, disease duration, attack frequency, and intraocular pressure were not significantly associated with RNFL thickness.

Conclusions

The findings from our comprehensive meta-analysis with large datasets strengthen the clinical evidence of the RNFL thickness reduction in migraine. RNFL thickness via spectral-domain OCT measurement demonstrates the potential role in differentiating patients with migraine, especially migraine with aura, from healthy controls.
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Metadata
Title
Retinal nerve fiber layer changes in migraine: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors
XiaoGuang Lin
ZhongQuan Yi
XueLing Zhang
QinQin Liu
Hui Zhang
RuYuan Cai
ChaoChun Chen
HongJie Zhang
PanWen Zhao
PingLei Pan
Publication date
01-03-2021
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Keywords
Migraine
Aura
Published in
Neurological Sciences / Issue 3/2021
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-020-04992-4

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