The effect of folic acid and pyridoxine supplementation on symptoms, severity of headache and inflammatory markers in patients with Migraine with aura (MA)

Introduction: Migraine is a neurovascular disease that affects the 10-20% of population worldwide. Studies have shown that migraine is associated with high level of homocysteine and lowering of this level can decrease the migraine symptoms. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of folate and pyridoxine supplementation on migraine symptoms in patients with migraine.
Material and methods: One hundred twenty four migraine patients randomly assigned to four groups (folate+ pyridoxine, pyridoxine, folate and placebo). Migraine symptoms including headache severity, attacks and frequency and duration, and headache diary result (HDR) were assessed at the beginning and end of study. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to determine the effect of supplements intake on migraine symptoms.
Findings: in this study, migraine symptoms including severity, frequency, duration and HDR in pyridoxine +folate group compared with placebo group (p < 0.05). Such reduction was not observed in pyridoxine and folate group compared with placebo (p > 0.05). Although, severity and frequency of attacks reduced significantly in pyridoxine group compared with placebo group (p < 0.05).
Discussion and conclusion: Combined pyridoxine and folate intake can decrease migraine symptoms including severity, frequency, duration and HDR. Further studies are needed to confirm our finding and also to determine the effective doses of vitamins.