The Effect of Psychiatric Comorbidities on Headache-Related Disability in Migraine: Results From the Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes (CaMEO) Study

Richard B. Lipton, Elizabeth K. Seng, Min Kyung Chu, Michael L. Reed, Kristina M. Fanning, Aubrey Manack Adams, Dawn C. Buse

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

39 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To examine the influences of depression and anxiety on headache-related disability in people with episodic migraine or chronic migraine. Background: Depression and anxiety are common comorbidities in people with migraine, especially among those with chronic migraine. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis of data from the longitudinal, internet-based Chronic Migraine Epidemiology and Outcomes Study assessed sociodemographic and headache features, and headache-related disability (Migraine Disability Assessment Scale). Four groups were defined based on scores from validated screeners for depression (9-item Patient Health Questionnaire) and anxiety (7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale): depression alone, anxiety alone, both, or neither. Results: Respondents (N = 16,788) were predominantly women (74.4% [12,494/16,788]) and white (84.0% [14,044/16,788]); mean age was 41 years. Depression was more likely in persons with chronic migraine vs episodic migraine (56.6% [836/1476] vs 30.0% [4589/15,312]; P <.001), as were anxiety (48.4% [715/1476] vs 28.1% 4307/15,312]; P <.001) and coexisting depression and anxiety (42.0% [620/1476] vs 20.8% [3192/15,312]; P <.001). After controlling for headache frequency and other covariates, depression alone, and anxiety alone were associated with 56.0% (rate ratio [RR], 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46-1.66) and 39.0% (RR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.30-1.50) increased risks of moderate/severe migraine-related disability (both P <.001), respectively; the combination had an even greater effect on risk of moderate/severe disability (79.0% increase; RR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.71-1.87; P <.001). Conclusions: Depression alone and anxiety alone are associated with greater headache-related disability after controlling for sociodemographic and headache features. Coexisting depression and anxiety are more strongly associated with disability than either comorbidity in isolation. Interventions targeting depression and anxiety as well as migraine itself may improve headache-related disability in people with migraine.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1683-1696
Number of pages14
JournalHeadache
Volume60
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2020

Keywords

  • anxiety
  • comorbidity
  • depression
  • headache-related disability
  • migraine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neurology
  • Clinical Neurology

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