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Visual aura (VA) presents in 98% of cases of migraine with aura. However, data on its prevalence and impact in individuals with migraine and probable migraine (PM) are limited. Data from the nation-wide, population-based Circannual Change in Headache and Sleep Study were collected. Participants with VA rating scale scores ≥ 3 were classified as having VA. Of 3,030 participants, 170 (5.6%) and 337 (11.1%) had migraine and PM, respectively; VA prevalence did not differ between these cohorts (29.4% 50/170 vs. 24.3% 82/337, p = 0.219). Participants with migraine with VA had a higher headache frequency per month (4.0 2.0-10.0 vs. 2.0 1.0-4.8, p = 0.014) and more severe cutaneous allodynia (12-item Allodynia Symptom Checklist score; 3.0 1.0-8.0 vs. 2.0 0.0-4.8, p = 0.046) than those without VA. Participants with PM with VA had a higher headache frequency per month (2.0 2.0-8.0 vs. 2.0 0.6-4.0, p = 0.001), greater disability (Migraine Disability Assessment score; 10.0 5.0-26.3 vs. 5.0 2.0-12.0, p < 0.001), and more severe cutaneous allodynia (12-item Allodynia Symptom Checklist score, 2.5 0.0-6.0 vs. 0.0 0.0-3.0, p < 0.001) than those without VA. VA prevalence was similar between migraine and PM. Some symptoms were more severe in the presence of VA.
Kim et al. (Mon,) studied this question.