Relation Between Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C) and Migraine Susceptibility

Migraine is a neurological disorder which impairs the patient's quality of life. Several association studies investigating the association between MTHFR gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and susceptibility to migraine were published. But the results were conflicting, so authors performed a meta-analysis of published case control studies to find out the exact association between MTHFR polymorphism and migraine susceptibility. Four databases were searched for suitable studies up to December, 2018. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was calculated adopting additive, homozygote, co-dominant, dominant, and recessive genetic models. Results of MTHFR C677T polymorphism studies meta-analysis showed significant association with migraine risk using allele contrast, homozygote, dominant and recessive genetic models (T vs. C: OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.00-1.26, p = 0.05; TT vs. CC: OR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.0-1.5, p = 0.04; CT vs. CC: OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 0.97-1.07, p = 0.25; TT + CT vs. CC: OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.0-1.29, p = 0.04; TT vs. CT + CC: OR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.28-3.42, p = 0.002). However, results of MTHFR A1298 polymorphism studies meta-analysis did not show any association with migraine. Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity and migraine types i.e. migraine with aura (MA) and without aura (MO) were also performed. Results of present meta-analysis indicate overall association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism with migraine in total 24 studies, in Asian population and in MA cases but did not show any association with Caucasian population and MO cases.