Vitamin D Plasma Level and Its Role in Headache

Several papers suggest that inflammation is able to induces both headache and low levels of vitamin D. However, to date a correlation between plasma vitamin D levels and headache has not been demonstrated. Recently we documented that low levels of Vitamin D are related to a low statin efficacy. In this study we will evaluate the plasma levels of vitamin D in patients with headache admitted to the Center of Headache of Pugliese Ciaccio Hospital.

Moreover it will be also evaluated:

• the correlation between efficacy and safety of drugs used in headache treatment and plasma vitamin D levels.
• the role of vitamin D supplementation on both headache symptoms and drug effects.

Plasma vitamin D levels in patients with headache will be evaluated respect to patients without headache.

Inclusion criteria

• acute or chronic headache diagnosed according to the clinical and radiological criteria of the headache Association

Exclusion criteria

• allergy to drugs,
• progressive serious medical conditions (such as cancer, AIDS or end-stage renal disease)
• renal diseases (serum creatinine concentration more than 1.2 times the upper limit of the normal range according to the central laboratory definition reference values)
• liver dysfunction (serum alanine or aspartate transaminase concentrations more than 1.5 times the upper limit of normal range according to the central laboratory definition reference values)
• alcohol consumption (>3 alcoholic beverages daily)
• substance abuse
• inability to give written informed consent
• actual or recent (3-month) treatment with corticosteroids, indomethacin or other antinflammatory drugs.
• secondary headache