Serum levels of calcium decrease during migraine attacks compared to healthy subjects, according to a cross-sectional and analytical study published in the 'World Family Medicine/Middle East Journal of Family Medicine'.

Migraine is defined as a debilitating headache. Previous studies determined that neuromuscular disorders may be caused due to the changes in the amount of active form of calcium and calcium-phosphate disturbances. Therefore, this cross-sectional and analytical study aimed to compare the ionized calcium levels in healthy subjects and patients with headache attack.

A total of 50 patients were included and referred to Jahrom, Honari Clinic. The patients were included only if they met the criteria of the International Headache Society (IHS). Ion-Selective Electrode (ISE) method was used to determine the levels of serum ionized calcium.

About 76% of patients included in the study were women, and the rest were men. Mean age of women was 34.8 years whereas the mean age of men was 37 years. The mean serum levels in women with and without migraine was 3.5 mmol/L and 4.5 mmol/L respectively. Mean serum levels of ionized calcium in men with migraine was 3.7 mmol/L and without migraine was 4.3 mmol/L. A significant difference in serum calcium level was observed during migraine attacks. The serum calcium levels significantly decreased in migraine patients as compared to healthy subjects, indicating that calcium has an impact on migraine attacks. However, more research is needed in this area.