Background The occurrence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) and headache comorbidity in the presence or absence of underlying autoimmune diseases remains unclear. Aim The aim of this review was to summarize the relationship between headache and aPLs based on evidences from cohort studies and case reports, in addition to examining the treatment strategies that resolved headache in aPLs-positive individuals.
Methods A comprehensive literature search was conducted through PubMed, ISI Web of Science and Google Scholar. A total of 559 articles were screened and the appropriate articles were selected based on quality and level of evidence.
Results Cohort studies (n = 27) from Europe, North America and Asia demonstrated comorbidity of aPLs and headache in antiphospholipid syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and neuropsychiatric SLE patients. Significantly higher association between migraine and aPLs was observed (n = 170/779; p
* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.