The Association Between Migraine and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Narrative Review

Migraine is a prevalent disabling neurovascular condition with a high burden on society. The association between migraine and metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is unclear. In this manuscript, we reviewed the association between migraine and T2DM. Results are summarized descriptively, and potential mechanisms are discussed. Included studies were cross-sectional (n = 6), case-control (n = 1), or cohort (n = 4). A mixed association between migraine and T2DM was reported: positive, inverse, and no association. Association between migraine and T2DM was suggested to follow an age-related trend: positive association in younger age, and negative in older age. Diabetes is associated with lifestyle modification, impaired vasodilation, neuropathy, and reduced calcitonin gene-related peptide, which might result in reduced headache. A rigorous cohort study with long follow-up is needed to establish the nature and strength of the association between migraine and T2DM.