Objective To evaluate the expression level of neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase 3(NTRK3) gene in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) combined with migraine (MA) and its correlations with clinical indicators.

Methods Eighty-six patients with PFO were selected as the study objects, and were divided into MA combined group (n=46) and non-MA combined group (n=40) according to different clinical symptoms. In the same period, 40 healting subjects were selected as the control group. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the expression of NTRK3 gene in the three groups. PFO diameter, right-to-left shingle (RLS) at rest, RLS in Valsalva state, Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) score and Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) score were compared between patients in MA combined group and those in the non-MA combined group. The correlation of expression level of NTRK3 gene with the clinical indexes of PFO patients complicating with MA was analyzed; influencing factors of MA remission in patients with PFO combined with MA after plugging were analyzed.

Results The expression level of NTRK3 gene in the combined MA group and the non-MA combined group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the MA combined group was significantly lower than that in the non-MA combined group (P < 0.05). The resting RLS, HIT-6 scores and MIDAS scores of patients in the MA combined group were significantly higher than those in the non-MA combined group (P < 0.05). The expression level of NTRK3 gene was negatively correlated with RLS, HIT-6 and MIDAS scores at rest in PFO patients with MA (P < 0.05). The expression level of NTRK3 gene was a protective factor for MA remission in PFO patients with MA after plugging (OR=0.621, P=0.018).

Conclusion The expression level of NTRK3 gene is significantly lower in PFO patients with MA, which is significantly correlated with clinical indicators and prognosis.