Publication:

Psychiatric comorbidity in patients with migraine

Background Migraine is a highly prevalent and disabling neurological disorder associated with a wide range of psychiatric comorbidities. The aim of the study was to study the psychiatric comorbidities in patients with migraine.

Methods The study population comprised all the out patients who fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of migraine attending a tertiary care psychiatry hospital over a period of 6 months. A total of 90 cases of migraine seen over a period of 6 months were analysed to know the demographic characteristics, clinical pattern and psychiatric comorbidity.

Results Maximum patients were between 21-40 years of age group (41.1%), females (83.3%), married (74.4%) and housewives (52.2%). 64.5% of study population was literate with a formal education above 10th standard. Migraine without aura was commonest sub-type (65.6%). Noise (75.6%) and sunlight (65.6%) was the most common precipitating factors. Anxiety disorders were the most common comorbid psychiatric disorders (40%), followed by major depressive disorder (24.4%). In 24.6% cases, no psychiatric comorbidity was present.

Conclusions Migraine is comorbid with several psychiatric disorders, including anxiety and depressive disorders. When migraine and a comorbid psychiatric disorder are present, it is important to take both disorders into account in formulating a treatment plan.