Health-related quality of life measures and psychiatric comorbidity in patients with migraine.
OBJECTIVE
The identification of factors associated to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures in patients with migraine has major implications in terms of prognosis and treatment. This study aimed at investigating associations between HRQoL and comorbid mood and anxiety disorders.


METHODS
Consecutive adult outpatients with a diagnosis of migraine with or without aura were assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I.) Plus version 5.0.0 and the Migraine-Specific Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (MSQ).


RESULTS
Data of 112 patients (82 females), 69 without aura, mean age 41.2 +/- 13.3 years were analyzed. According to the M.I.N.I., 50% patients had a lifetime or current DSM-IV diagnosis of mood or anxiety disorder. There was no between-groups difference in MSQ total and subscale scores in relation to the presence/absence of psychiatric comorbidity, independently whether that was current or lifetime. In the group of subjects with psychiatric disorders, age at onset of migraine correlated with MSQ-total (rho = -0.407 P = 0.002), and subscale scores (Role Function-Restrictive, rho = -0.397, P = 0.002; Emotional Function, rho = -0.487, P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that current and/or lifetime psychiatric comorbidities are not associated with HRQoL measures in patients with migraine. However, patients with migraine and psychiatric comorbidities may represent a specific subgroup deserving particular attention for targeted interventions.
Mula
M
M
Department of Neurology, Amedeo Avogadro University, Novara, Italy. marco.mula@med.unipmn.it
Viana
M
M
Jauch
R
R
Schmitz
B
B
Bettucci
D
D
Cavanna
A E
AE
Strigaro
G
G
Tota
M G
MG
Israel
H
H
Reuter
U
U
Monaco
F
F
D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D018579:Patient Selection; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires