Worse Migraine Symptoms Associated With A History Of Abuse, Says Study

Brain News: The new study revealed that a history of emotional, physical, and sexual abuse is associated with greater migraine-related sensory hypersensitivity symptoms.

The study involves 1020 adults with migraine and self-reported abuse history. They completed questionnaires to assess for anxiety, depression, photosensitivity, hyperacusis, and allodynia.

Approximately 36% of the participants reported a history of abuse. Abuse was associated with greater headache frequency (P =.019); ictal allodynia (P =.001); and anxiety, depression, photophobia, hyperacusis, and ictal allodynia (all P <.001). The association between abuse with photophobia, hyperacusis, and ictal allodynia was significantly mediated by anxiety and depression.

There is a need for further research to understand the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the relationship between abuse, psychiatric comorbidities, and migraine symptoms that will help in the development of interventions and preventive treatments.

To Know More, You May Refer To:

Trivedi, M., Dumkrieger, G., Chong, C. D., Dodick, D. W., & Schwedt, T. J. (2021). Impact of abuse on migraine‐related sensory hypersensitivity symptoms: Results from the American registry for migraine research. Headache: The Journal of Head and Face Pain. https://doi.org/10.1111/head.14100